Problem-Based Learning Approach on the Knowledge and Skills in Pharmaceutical Care: Proposed Instructional Design

The study established the difference between the Problem-Based Learning (PBL) Approach and Conventional Method of teaching among the first year Pharmaceutical students of Cebu Doctors’ University. The result serve as basis for a proposed instructional design. The results for conventional method of teaching has the higher mean of 28.25 in knowledge, however in skills the PBL method has the higher mean of 80.09 compared to 72.89.  In the post-test mean gain scores of students still higher mean in conventional method and in skills higher mean is with PBL method. There is significant difference in the post-test mean gain scores between the two groups as to knowledge in disease and drug therapy, and in communication skills. In general knowledge and skills of students differ between the two groups after teaching utilizing the two methods. In conclusion, there is significant difference in terms of knowledge of disease and drug therapy and communication skills between the conventional and PBL method of teaching, with a computed t-value of 2.40 and 3.72 respectively compared to the critical t-value of 1.67 the null hypothesis of no significant differenceis thereby rejected.  Conventional method of teaching is more effective as teaching methodology in imparting knowledge, and PBL approach is more effective in developing communication skillsof the students.

Keywords: Problem-based learning approach, pharmaceutical care, communication skills, teaching methodology