Physiotherapy students’ perception on problem based learning

Objective: To assess the third year physiotherapy students’ perception of problem based learning sessions in Musculoskeletal physiotherapy.Design, setting and sample: Third year physiotherapy students in the department of Physiotherapy, Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, University of Peradeniya.Measurements: A 15 item, self-administered questionnaire with a five point Likert scale was used.Results: The response rate was 75% (24 out of 32). Seventy nine per cent of students agreed that it promotes critical thinking. A majority of students felt that, the PBL sessions were better at fulfilling learning objectives, gave better factual knowledge of musculoskeletal physiotherapy was enjoyable and ensured team work. Most of the students’ indicated that more such sessions should be organised in the future. The main disadvantage perceived was that it was time-consuming.Conclusion: The results of this study showed that, third year physiotherapy students’ perception of problem based learning sessions in musculoskeletal physiotherapy was positive. Thus it can be used as a teaching learning strategy.