Accepted for/Published in: Journal of Medical Internet Research
Date Submitted: Sep 6, 2018
Open Peer Review Period: Sep 10, 2018 - Nov 5, 2018
Date Accepted: Dec 29, 2018
(closed for review but you can still tweet)
WeChat as a New Method for Problem-based Learning in the Dental Practical Clerkship
ABSTRACT
Background:
Problem-Based-Learning （PBL）is a widely accepted student-centered medical education. WeChat is the most popular communication service application (APP) in China. We introduce WeChat as a new mode for an on-line PBL in the dental pratical clerkship.
Objective:
This study was designed to evaluate the feasibility of the on-line PBL based on WeChat (WeChat-PBL) in the dental practical clerkship and investigate its features, advantages and shortcomings.
Methods:
Seventy-two students participated in this study. Six to eight students with a trained faculty tutor were randomly assigned to the same WeChat group. The group members performed PBL by sending and receiving texts, pictures, voice, videos, and documents anytime and anywhere instead of discussing in a traditional classroom setting. In addition, the group members conducted real-time discussion by video conferencing function. Especially, the students themselves were able to discuss a real clinical case that they were experiencing immediately in the WeChat-PBL. After a throughout discussion of each PBL case, the group members evaluated the process via WeChat. The long-term evaluation was obtained by questionnaire survey.
Results:
There were 45 real clinical cases being raised in the WeChat-PBL. Thirty cases involved multidisciplinary team approach. It took 3-5 days (in a mean of 4.2 days) for one PBL case. The results in analyzing the questionnaire indicated that WeChat-PBL had achieved positive effects, and almost all the students (98.61%) were satisfied with the WeChat-PBL during their dental practical clerkship.
Conclusions:
The WeChat-PBL is a recommended ideal mode for PBL education in the dental practical clerkship. This new mode ensures a flexible schedule, widens ways of gaining knowledge and promotes efficiency in problem solving. In addition, Wechat-PBL improves the students’ learning motivation and practical ability. Although there are still certain limitations in WeChat-PBL, we are able to find solutions during the actual process.
Citation
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Copyright
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