Pengaruh Metode Pembelajaran Berbasis Masalah Terhadap Kemampuan Mahasiswa Farmasi dalam Aspek Informasi Obat

Background : Drug information service is one of the pharmacist competencies. A good learning method is needed to improve the ability of pharmacy student in applying their theoretical knowledge on their community clinical practice on the future. The aim of this study was to determine the impact of problem based learning method on drug information systems course in the capability of the drug information service by pharmacy students which is assessed on the aspects of theoretical knowledge, competence of the learning material aspect and the aspect of the case solving abilities. Methods : The research method using prospective single-blind, case-control study lasted for 19 months starting in January 2014 to July 2015 in the Department of Pharmacy, Udayana University. The case group was pharmacy student who have used problem-based learning system method, while a control group was the students who have conventional teaching methods. Results : There are 79 students enrolled for this study, consisting of 38 students in control group and 41 students in case group (PBL). The grade of theoretical ability aspect of students in the control group is higher and significantly different to the case group (p = 0.047). The competency of the learning material aspect and the problem solving ability in case group is higher and significantly different with the case group (p = 0.000). Conclusion : The application of problem based learning method is able to improve competency of the learning material aspect and problem solving ability related to drug information service provision by pharmacy students who follow drug information systems course. Recommendation : Application of problem based learning can be used in pharmacy department to improve students soft skills, especially in applied subject that related to clinical practice of pharmacists in community.