Alisa V. Lobuteva, Ludmila A. Lobuteva, Oksana V. Zakharova, Sergey A. Krivosheev, Alina D. Yermolaeva

Abstract

Problem-based learning has gained great popularity among the world's top educational institutions since it is contributed to the development of students' professional skills. This article aimed to study the application of problem-based learning in pharmaceutical education and conduct a comparative analysis of its advantages as perceived by university students of the first and last years. In 2018, the authors conducted a study using mixed methods of a sociological survey (focus group discussions and anonymous questioning) among 423 students. As a result, they revealed the main advantages of problem-based learning associated with the use of real-life situations, which ensured the reliability of the material under the study, contributed to a better understanding of the topic and enabled the application of the knowledge acquired before. The authors also proved that students of the first and last years perceived the above-mentioned benefits in a different way. The study results can help to realize new educational approaches based on the student's needs‎.