Case based learning as an innovative teaching tool

The challenges faced by the medical education are similar across the globe. The learning process is problematic with large classes and most of the curriculum time spent on traditional subject oriented didactic lectures during first and second professional, while teaching basic and paraclinical subjects. Various teaching methods were used to make the subjects more interesting, this study was done to determine the perception of case based learning (CBL) and to evaluate its effect in pharmacology among second year students undergoing graduation in Bachelor of Dental Surgery. The perception of student response was collected by questionnaire and records. Data obtained were analyzed statically using paired t test. 86% students (28% strongly agrees and 58% agrees) felt that CBL stimulated their desire to learn and 71% felt that it helps them to solve clinical situation in a better way. 92% felt they were motivated to learn pharmacology. Attendance record of the students improved and number of pharmacology book issued from the central library was increased during the CBL period. The Mean test score obtained by the students before CBL was 7.172 ± 2.268, which was increased significantly to 9.195 ± 3.799. The overall goal of this study is to introduce CBL as an innovative teaching tool. This would help the students to develop clinical decision making skill and link pharmacology to clinical practice in a better way during the start of their carrier. [Int J Basic Clin Pharmacol 2014; 3(2.000): 395-398]