Effects of video triggers on the PBL process

Abstract

In medical problem-based learning (PBL), video cases appear to be welcomed by students and facilitators. However, it has been proposed that junior medical students without much clinical experience may focus more on problem identification and description, and consequently less on problem exploration, which is more important in the learning of problem solving in PBL (Hmelo-Silver, Educational Psychology Review, 16(3), 235–266, 2004). In order to find out if this occurs, we recorded, transcribed and coded the PBL sessions of a group of students and a facilitator working on a paper case and then on a video case. It was found that in the video case, when compared to the paper case, the students spent more of their discussion on problem identification and less on problem description. The percentage of transcript units in problem identification and description was actually lower in the video-triggered case than in the paper-triggered case. Moreover, the percentage of transcript units in problem exploration was higher in the video-trigger case than in the paper-triggered case. In conclusion, there is no evidence to suggest that video triggers would act as a distraction to the learning of critical thinking and problem-solving skills even in junior medical students with little clinical experience.