Comparison of outcome between case-based learning and seminar for small group undergraduate teaching in Ophthalmology

Case based learning and seminars can be adopted for Ophthalmology small group teaching. These methodologies reemphasises the knowledge already taught in theory didactic lectures, and help in long term retention of concepts of ophthalmic diseases to be known by a competent basic doctor. The Objectives of the study was to compare the outcome of case based learning and seminar and to know the students’ opinion about Case based learning and seminar.

A prospective study was conducted during small group teaching for 90 students, 7^th term MBBS, HIMS, Hassan in July 2015.

Students were divided into Group A and B of 45 each and underwent 2 CBL and 2 Seminar sessions on clinically important ophthalmology topics. Later they were crossed over. A pretest and post-test each of 25 score was conducted after each session and a feedback was obtained from students. Scores were evaluated and analysed. Statistical analysis was done and represented as Percentage, mean and comparison of scores was done using paired T-test.

Of the 90 students, scores of only 55 students were evaluated. Overall there was improvement in the post-test scores of both CBL and Seminar. Even though the difference in scores is more in CBL, outcome was found to be statistically insignificant (p value> 0.05). The student feedback showed CBL to be more effective than seminar.

CBL post test scores were more than seminar post test scores. Student's feedback analysis showed that students preferred CBL to Seminar in small group teaching in UG Ophthalmology teaching.