Comparing Traditional Lecture and Combination of Case And Lecture in Teaching Endocrine Physiology for Medical Students

Regarding the importance of medical field، investigating new effective teaching methods is crucial. In the present study two methods of lecture and combination of case-based learning (CBL) and lecture for teaching endocrine physiology to junior medical students are compared. Eighty three medical students of Guilan University of Medical Sciences، who entered university in 2009، and 75 who entered in 2008 were designated as experimental and control group respectively. Then، physiology of endocrine system was taught to both groups during two semesters، control group was taught through traditional method and the other through combination of CBL and lecture. The headings of the lesson were the same for the two groups. Students were evaluated through post-test at the end of the semester. Data was analyzed by SPSS software using independent T-test. Although there was no significant difference between the score of final exam between two groups، CBL group students were more satisfied and showed higher motivation compared to the traditional group. This study showed that using of CBL methods in teaching endocrine physislogy can increase satisfaction and interest in medical students. Moreover، this method motivates students to study more by encouraging them into more group interaction.