Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40349020›Full record

ArticleBMC medical education2025

Enhancing medical education in Nepal through problem-based learning (PBL) and collaborative action research strategies.

Alok Atreya, Laxman Gnawali, Ritesh G Menezes, Samata Nepal

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in BMC medical education, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 2 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
2citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

2 citing papers in PubMed.

  1. Article
  2. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

4 authors.

Alok AtreyaDepartment of Forensic Medicine, Lumbini Medical College, Palpa, 32500, Nepal. alokraj67@hotmail.com.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0001-6657-7871
Laxman GnawaliDepartment of STEAM Education, Kathmandu University School of Education, Lalitpur, 44700, Nepal.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0003-3038-532X
Ritesh G MenezesPBL Committee, College of Medicine, Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University, Dammam, Saudi Arabia.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-2135-4161
Samata NepalDepartment of Community Medicine, Lumbini Medical College, Palpa, 32500, Nepal.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0001-9189-4510

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundTeamwork and collaboration among students are essential for successful problem-based learning (PBL) implementation; however, many medical colleges in Nepal face obstacles to implementing successful PBL sessions. This action research explored elements affecting teamwork during PBL sessions at Lumbini Medical College in Nepal and developed interventions that could readily be applied to enhance student collaboration.

methodsThe study employed qualitative methods, collecting data through online open-ended questionnaires from second-year and first-year medical students. Initial data from second-year students identified teamwork challenges, while feedback from first-year students evaluated interventions. Specific interventions were implemented with first-year students, including improved internet connectivity, systematic textbook availability in PBL rooms, structured presentation formats (PechaKucha), and clear role assignments, as second-year students had completed their preclinical phase. The effectiveness of these interventions was evaluated through first-year students' feedback.

resultsThematic analysis revealed three key challenges: communication barriers (including language and technical issues), discrepancies in participation, and differing levels of preparation. Positive feedback from first-year students confirmed that the implemented interventions were successful in improving team dynamics, facilitating more active participation, and enhancing resource utilization.

conclusionsSuccessful implementation of PBL necessitates not only infrastructural support (internet and access to the resources needed to learn) but also pedagogical structure (e.g. clearly defined roles within groups, systematic structures of participation). These findings offer practical guidance for medical educators seeking to enhance PBL effectiveness, particularly in resource-limited settings. CLINICAL TRIAL NUMBER: Not applicable.

Indexed as

Cooperative BehaviorEducation, Medical, UndergraduateProblem-Based LearningStudents, MedicalHumansNepalQualitative ResearchSurveys and QuestionnairesAction researchMedical educationNepalProblem-based learningTeamwork

Identifiers

PMID40349020
PMCPMC12066061

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY-NC-ND
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.