Effects of Problem-Based Learning on Clinical Reasoning in Occupational Therapy

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: Problem-based learning (PBL) has been described as an educational method that enhances clinical reasoning skills. The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of an intensive, problem-based course on the development of clinical reasoning skills of undergraduate occupational therapy students. METHOD: A quasi-experimental pretest-posttest design was used with a convenience sample of 48 undergraduate seniors. All students participated in an intensive 5-week, 30-hour, PBL course scheduled just prior to Level II fieldwork. The Self-Assessment of Clinical Reflection and Reasoning (SACRR) developed by Royeen, Mu, Barrett, and Luebben (2001) was administered on the first and last days of the course. RESULTS: The Wilcoxon Signed Ranks Test revealed statistically significant differences in pre- and posttest scores for 11 of 26 items on the SACRR. In addition, the overall total score increased from 96.88 to 102.55 (p < .01). CONCLUSION: The results suggest that a short, but intensive PBL course in the senior year of an occupational therapy curriculum can significantly facilitate the development of students' clinical reasoning skills.

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