a problem assisted course delivery for occupational health students' improved learning: an experience of using problems and real cases

background and purpose: problem based medical education had been useful in education of medical sciences students. the objective is the determination of effects of problem based medical education on occupational health students' learning. methods: this study was a semi-experimental study. by using the curriculum of ministry of health, occupational toxicology course had been taught based on a problem based plan for group a, then students' grades or data had been analyzed by spss 16, mean, standard deviation, t-test with p<0.05. results: the total grade of occupational toxicology in group a (with problem based medical education) was 18.03±1.84 and in group b (regular education), it was 17.60±1.72 with t=0.852 and p=0.398 had not significant differences. the specific lessons such as cadmium and allergic disorders were promoted and its mean grades were more in group a than b. conclusions: problem based medical education was helpful in learning of some chapters of occupational toxicology.