The effect of Problem-Based Learning on Care Management skills: A quasi-experimental study.
Luis Angel Benítez-Chavira, Rosa Amarilis Zárate-Grajales, María Guadalupe Moreno-Monsiváis and 3 others
PMID 36995854WHAT IT FOUND
Nursing students using problem-based learning remotely scored higher in analytical and action-related care management skills than those in traditional classes.
Interpersonal skills and information use did not improve. The study was small, non-randomised and used self-reported scores.
Key findings
01Students in the problem-based learning group had higher global care management skill scores than the control group after the intervention.
02Significant improvements were seen in analytical and action-related skills, but not in interpersonal skills or use of information.
03Being a regular student, perceiving oneself as academically excellent, and having prior PBL experience predicted higher post-test scores.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for RNs
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What it does not show
The study used a non-probabilistic convenience sample and allocation was not randomised, which introduces selection bias. Outcomes were based on self-assessment, which is subject to memory bias and may not reflect actual clinical competence. The study was conducted in a single institution in Mexico during remote learning, limiting generalisability to other settings or in-person education. The authors describe it as a pilot study, meaning the findings are preliminary and require confirmation in larger trials.
Declared interests
The paper does not explicitly state funding sources or conflicts of interest in the provided text, though it mentions ethical approval from the institution.
The easy way to misread this
Do not interpret the higher scores as proof that problem-based learning improves clinical care management skills. The study measured self-perceived competence in students, not patient outcomes, and the groups were not randomised, so pre-existing differences in student motivation or ability could explain the results.