INTRODUCTION OF PROBLEM BASED LEARNING AS A TEACHING–LEARNING TOOL IN ANATOMY TEACHING Dattatray Digambarrao Dombe * 1 , T. Anitha 2 .   *1 Associate   Professor,   Department   of   Anatomy,   Chalmeda      Anandrao   Institute   of   Medical   Sciences,   Bommakal,   Karimnagar,Telangana, India. 2    Professor   and   Head,   Department   of   Anatomy,   Chalmeda      Anandrao   Institute   of   Medical   Sciences,   Bommakal,   Karimnagar,Telangana, India. Correspondence   Address:   Dr.   Dattatray   D.   Dombe,   C/O      Dombe      D.      P.,   Bhagyalaxmi   Nagar,   Near   Shankaracharya   Temple,   Basmat Road, Parbhani, Parbhani ( Maharashtra) , India – 431401 Mobile -09405519678 E-Mail:  drdattadombe79@yahoo.com ABSTRACT Introduction:   Problem   Based   Learning   (PBL)   is   preached   and   practiced   throughout   the   world   in   medical   teaching.   In   India   this method   of   teaching   is   gaining   the   ground.   We   tried   to   take   the   opinion   of   our   students   how   they   perceive   the   PBL   as   a   teaching learning tool. Materials   and   Methods:    A   semi   structured   closed   ended   questionnaire   was   distributed   in   participants   after   the   PBL   session   and   their opinions were evaluated in the percentage scale. Results:    more   that   85   percent   of   our   participants   were   of   opinion   that   PBL   increased   their   understanding   of   the   subject,   it   helped   in the   understanding   the   clinical   applications   of   the   complex   anatomical   concepts.   Time   required   conducting   the   PBL   session   remained the main obstacle in conduction of PBL. Conclusion:    PBL   is   novel   teaching   –learning   tool   appreciated   by   our   participants   but   less   faculty   strength   and   limited   time   in   the   first MBBS   for   First   year   students   raises   a   question   mark   on   implementing   it   on   a   larger   scale.   So,   a   mixed   approach   where   traditional Teaching –Learning methods are mixed with PBL can benefit students and teachers both. KEY WORDS: Problem based learning, First MBBS, Anatomy curriculum. References 1 . Neville   A   J.   Problem-based   learning   and   medical   education   forty   years   on:   a   review   of   its   effects   on   knowledge   and   clinical   performance.   Med   Princ Pract 2009;18:1-9. 2 . Norman  G R, Schmidt H G. The psychological basis of problem based learning: a review of the evidence. Acad Med 1992;67:557-65. 3 . Krischner   PA,   Sweller   J,   Clarke   RE.   Why   minimal   guidance   during   instruction   does   not   work:   an   analysis   of   the   failure   of   constructivist,   discovery, problem-based, experiential, and inquiry based teaching. Educ Psychol 2006;41:75-86. 4 . Meyers C, Jones TB. Case studies, In: Promoting active learning: Strategies for the  College Classroom. San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass, 1993; 103-119. 5 . Vernon DTA. Attitudes and opinions of faculty tutors about problem –based learning. Acad Med.1995;70:216-223. 6 . Cahill DR, Leonard RJ. Missteps and masquerade in American medical academe: clinical anatomists call for action. Clin Anat 1999;12:220–222 7 . Cahill DR, Leonard RJ, Marks SC.  A comment on recent teaching of human anatomy in the United States. Surg Radiol Anat 2000;22:69–71. 8 . Chen.C,   Zhang   W.   Qin   L,   Cui   H,   Linghu   D,   Guan   Y.   Problem-based   learning   in   Gross   Anatomy:   Assessment   Outcomes   and   Student   Perceptions   Journal of Biology and Life Science. 4(1):194-204. 9 . Singh   PR   and   Bhat   R.   Introduction   to   case   based   learning   for   teaching   anatomy   in   a   conventional   medical   school.   J.   Anat.   Soc.   India   2011;60(2):232- 235. 1 0 . Dope SA, Mungal SU, Kulkarni PR. Introducing problem based learning for first MBBS anatomy students. Int J Health Sci Res. 2013;3(4):50-56. 1 1 . Becker S, Viljoen MJ, Botma Y, Bester IJ. Integration of study material in the problem-based learning method. Curationis. 2003; 26: 57–61. 1 2 . Prince   KJAH,   Mameren   H,   Hylkema   N,   Drukker   J,   Scherpbier   AJJA   ,   Van   der   Vleuten   CPM.   Does   problem-based   learning   lead   to   deficiencies   in   basic science knowledge? An empirical case on anatomy. Medical Education 2003;37:15–21 1 3 . Hartling      L,   Spooner   C,   Tjosvold   L,   Oswald   A.   Problem-based   learning   in   pre-clinical   medical   education:   22   years   of   outcome   research.   Med   Teach 2010;32:28-35. 1 4 . McKendree J. Experiences of problem based learning in the UK. Clin Teach 2011;7:262-5. 1 5 . Albanese  MA, Mitchell S. Problem-based learning: a review of literature on its outcomes and implementation issues. Acad Med 1993;68:52-81. 1 6 . Des   Marchais   JE,   Bureau   MA,   Dumai   SB,   Pigeon.   From   traditional   to   Problem-   Based   learning.   A   case   report   of   complete   curriculum   reforms.   Med. Edu. 1992;26:190-99. 1 7 . Berkson L. Problem-based learning: Have the expectations been met? Acad Med 1993;68:S79-S88. 1 8 . Donner RS, Bickley H. Problem-based learning in American medical education: an overview. Bull Med Libr Assoc 1993;81:294-298. 19. Moore-West M, Harrington DL, Mennin SP, et al. Distress and attitudes toward the learning environment: effects of a curricular innovation. Teach Learn Med 1989;1:151-157.