Principles of problem-based learning for training and professional practice in ecotoxicology

Problem-Based Learning in Medical Education: A Global Research Landscape of the Last Ten Years (2013-2022)

Background

Problem-based learning (PBL) constructs a curriculum that merges theory and practice by employing clinical scenarios or real-world problems. Originally designed for the pre-clinical phase of undergraduate medicine, PBL has since been integrated into diverse aspects of medical education. Therefore, this study aims to map the global scientific landscape related to PBL in medical education in the last ten years.

Methods

We combined bibliometrics and network analysis to analyze the metadata of related research articles published between 2013 and 2022 and indexed in the Web of Science Core Collection.

Results

Our results show an annual publication rate of 9.42%. The two main journals disseminating research on this subject are BMC Medical Education and Medical Teacher. Education & Educational Research and Health Care Sciences & Services are the two most frequent research areas, and also the two most central nodes of the related network. The USA and China are the most publishing countries, while the Netherlands and Canada are the most collaborative. The Maastricht University holds the position of most publishing and collaborative research organization. The University of California ranks second in publications, while the University of Toronto is the second most central research organization.

Conclusions

Our study provides an overview of the last ten years of publications related to PBL and medical education, and we hope it can be of interest to educators, researchers, and students involved with this subject.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s40670-024-02003-1.

Outcomes of problem-based learning in nurse education: A systematic review and meta-analysis

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the effectiveness of problem-based learning (PBL) in nursing students, including recently reported trials.

DESIGN

Meta-analysis was performed to obtain summary conclusions on the influence of PBL on nursing students' learning outcomes.

DATA SOURCES

Academic Search Complete, CINAHL, Cochrane Library, EMBASE, MEDLINE, PubMed, and Web of Science were searched for relevant studies from the period between database inception and March 3, 2022.

REVIEW METHODS

A random-effects model was used to generate pooled standardized mean differences (SMD) for critical thinking, problem-solving, and self-confidence. The heterogeneity of each variable in the pooled estimate was determined using a random-effects model.

RESULTS

Overall, PBL had a greater positive effect than traditional learning on critical thinking (SMD: 0.44; 95 % CI: 0.14-0.73), analysis (SMD: 0.72; 95 % CI: 0.84-1.25), and evaluation (SMD: 0.33; 95 % CI: 0.05-0.61). However, the impact of PBL on problem-solving and self-confidence need further investigation.

CONCLUSIONS

PBL appears to improve nursing students' critical thinking skills, especially their ability to analyze and evaluate. The findings of this study may be used as evidence of PBL being a more effective method than traditional/conventional learning techniques for increasing students' critical thinking.

Metallothionein determination can be applied to learn about aquatic metal pollution and oxidative stress detoxification mechanisms through Problem-based Learning

A simple, repeatable and inexpensive laboratory practice applied to teach and discuss aquatic metal pollution and oxidative stress detoxification mechanisms through biomarker analyses, as well as important ecotoxicology concepts, is presented herein. It has been implemented in a university in Brazil to both undergraduate and Master's and PhD students, indicating usefulness to all these levels. Students learned to detect metallothionein and reduced glutathione concentrations in biological samples and investigate several variables of interest in biomonitoring assessments. In addition, statistical correlations were used to indicate the potential dual role played by MT in aquatic organisms, allowing for biological inferences regarding both aquatic metal pollution and oxidative stress detoxification mechanisms and maturing of ecotoxicological and biomonitoring concepts discussed and presented both theoretically and integrated to the laboratory findings.