Evaluating Innovative Change: Comparing Perspectives of the UBC Medical and Dental Schools’ Problem Based Learning Curricula and the Previous “Conventional” Curriculum

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TitleEvaluating Innovative Change: Comparing Perspectives of the UBC Medical and Dental Schools’ Problem Based Learning Curricula and the Previous “Conventional” Curriculum
Faculty/College/UnitMedicine
StatusCompleted
Duration1 Year
Initiation04/01/2001
Completion03/31/2002
Project Summary

Rationale: The graduating class of 2001 will be the first to graduate the problem based learning (PBL) program that was instituted by the UBC medical and dental schools in September 1997. This is a unique opportunity to conduct an external comprehensive evaluation of the 'new' curriculum and compare it to the previous 'conventional' curriculum and to evaluate each program's adherence to educational principles, to identify the current program's strengths, gaps, redundancies, and elicit ideas for program improvements. An external review will enable greater objectivity and a clearer perspective on curricular changes instituted. The underlying assumption of this program evaluation is that an improved curriculum will lead to better doctors and dentists.

Summary of Objectives: External reviewers to develop instruments and collect data from graduates, graduating students and faculty to address the following questions:

  1. To what extent have the 'Principles of Curricular Revision', as defined by the Strategic Planning Committee, been successfully applied in the implementation of the new PBL curriculum?
  2. How do the learning opportunities to acquire the 'Defined Graduation Competencies' (exit goals as defined by the Strategic Planning Committee) compare within the current PBL and 'conventional' curricula?
  3. Were there adequate and appropriate resources for the delivery of the new curriculum and old curriculum?
  4. Did faculty have appropriate training to implement the curricular changes?
  5. Did PBL versus 'conventional' students leave the program with adequate informatics and computer skills?
Funding Details
Year 1: Project YearYear 1
Year 1: Funding Year2001/2002
Year 1: Project TypeSmall TLEF
Year 1: Principal InvestigatorMarc Broudo
Year 1: Funded Amount8,050
Year 1: Team Members

Marc Broudo, Educational Support and Development / Faculty of Medicine / Faculty of Dentistry
Martha Donnelly, Chair, Program Evaluation Committee
Marcia Boyd, Associate Dean, Faculty of Dentistry
Diane Roscoe, Pathology, Faculty of Medicine
Sylvie Langlois, Medical Genetics, Faculty of Medicine
Angela Towle, Undergraduate Program Director, Office of the Dean, Faculty of Medicine
George Pachev, Educational Support and Development, Office of the Coordinator, Health Sciences
Dana Romalis, Student, Medicine
Bonnie Wiese, Student, Medicine
Gadrun Aubertin, Student, Medicine