Originally posted by nuclearrabbit77
PBL isn't perfect, but at least it isn't as boring as lecture. I think alot of what people get out of it depends on the group dynamic. The PBL group i am in get along together really well and everyone seems to contribute and haul their share of the work. The way the session works is that we are given a case, with many learning issues that come up in it's presentation. each member has to take a learning issue and do research and come back the next session to present that topic. after discussion, (and more data given out), the group arrives to a diagnosis.
for example, this week, i have to present on the molecular pathogenesis of cystic fibrosis, while somebody else may talk about C.F. epidemiology. etc. in general, pbl tends to be something that i don't love, but defintely more entertaining than lecture.
is PBL necessary or perfect? definetly not. my friend is in a group that he dislikes, and i know of another who got in serious verbal argument during the group discussion over the differences between incomplete and codominance. people can annoy. but that's life in general. dealing with other people (especially in health care) is something that can not be avoided. might as well learn how to do it now.
does PBL prepare you for boards? its probably not the most efficent way to get the highest score, but case based presentation is typically used in the way the boards test. i don't think any curriculum in particular prepare you for the boards better, i think the best correlation is the reputation of the school.
but correlations only go so far. there are plenty of people who rock the boards from "no-name" schools, and conversely, for "big-name" schools.
as you are trying to decide the best school for you, the things i think you should consider whether or not you'll be happy there. Ranking don't matter as much as people think when they are deciding medical schools. Obviously deciding between a carribean school and harvard is a cinch to make,...but people who think that school ranked #25 is superior to school ranked #31, while not considering more important things like curriculum, geography, cost, pass/fail vs grades, PBL vs. traditional,..etc... need to reevaluate their criteria.
nuclearrabbit
NUFSOM - class 2006