Outcome measurement of problem-based learning.
OBJECTIVE: To determine if there is a significant difference in the national certification examination scores, and in comments received from clinical faculty, between PBL and pre-PBL groups. DESIGN: Retrospective analyses of national certification examination scores and clinical faculty evaluation files. PARTICIPANTS: Medical technology students at the University of Hawaii. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Means of a national certification examination scores of PBL and pre-PBL groups are statistically compared. Types of clinical faculty comments are rank-ordered and compared between the two groups. RESULTS: PBL group did significantly better in the Urinalysis section of the national certification examination. Pre-PBL group received more "Quiet but got better" comments from clinical faculty. CONCLUSION: PBL can affect student outcomes in both national certification exams and perception by clinical faculty.