The application of problem-based learning (PBL) guided by ChatGPT in clinical education in the Department of Nephrology

Abstract

Background: Nephrology, a complex and specialized medical field, has seen significant advancements, yet traditional teaching methods remain outdated and less effective. This study explores the integration of Problem-Based Learning (PBL) guided by ChatGPT in the Department of Nephrology at Guizhou Provincial People’s Hospital to enhance medical education. Objective: To assess the impact of ChatGPT-guided Problem-Based Learning (PBL) on medical students’ education and satisfaction in the Nephrology Department. Methods: Fifty-four clinical resident doctors were divided into an experimental group, using ChatGPT-guided PBL, and a control group, using traditional methods. Both groups were assessed through theoretical and clinical practice exams, teaching satisfaction surveys, and self-assessments of teaching effectiveness. Results: Results indicated the experimental group achieved significantly higher scores in both theoretical and clinical assessments. Additionally, they reported higher satisfaction and effectiveness in learning. Despite spending more time in pre-class preparation, the overall learning time did not increase due to reduced post-class review time facilitated by ChatGPT. Conclusions: This study demonstrates the potential of ChatGPT-integrated PBL to enhance learning outcomes, satisfaction, and efficiency in medical education. Future research should include larger samples and longer follow-up to validate these findings.