Problem-based learning and research at the Harvard School of Dental Medicine: a ten-year follow-up

Dental students at the Harvard School of Dental Medicine (HSDM) are required to pursue and complete research projects in order to obtain the doctor of dental medicine (D.M.D.) degree. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of curriculum changes on a set of measurable outcomes related to research pursuits. This study was designed as a retrospective analysis of outcomes data from the period 1992-2002. The predictor variable was program format (non-PBL vs. PBL); the outcome variables were the percentage of students listed as authors on an IADR/AADR abstract during their tenure at HSDM and the percentage of students listed as first and/or presenting authors. Univariate statistics were computed for each class, and independent samples t-tests were used to compare the study groups with regard to our outcomes. For the majority of our outcomes, there was no statistically significant difference between the PBL and non-PBL groups, possibly due to sample size limitations. While the implementation of PBL at HSDM has not universally increased student productivity in research, it has not had an adverse effect either. It is possible that students in the PBL curriculum are nurturing other interests, such as community service, while retaining productivity in research.