Medical students' preferences for problem-based learning in relation to culture and personality: a multicultural study

Objectives: The aim of this study was to explore positive and negative preferences towards problem-based learning in relation to personality traits and socio-cultural context. Method: The study was an anonymous and voluntary crosssectional survey of medical students (N=449) in hybrid problem-based curricula in Nepal, Norway and North Dakota. Data was collected on gender, age, year of study, cohabitation and medical school. The PBL Preference Inventory identified students’ positive and negative preferences in relation to problem-based learning; the personality traits were detected by the NEO Five-Factor Inventory. The determinants of the two kinds of preferences were analyzed by hierarchical multiple linear regressions. Results: Positive preferences were mostly determined by personality; associations were found with the traits Extraversion, Openness to experience, Conscientiousness and Neuroticism; the first three are related to sociability, curiosity and orderliness, the last, to mental health. The learning environments of such curricula may be supportive for some and unnerving for others who score high on Neuroticism. Negative preferences were rather determined by culture, but also, they correlated with Neuroticism and Conscientiousness. Negative preferences were lower among females and students living in symmetrical relationships. Some high on Conscientiousness disliked group work, and the negative correlation with Agreeableness indicated that less sociable students were not predisposed to this kind of learning activity. Conclusions: Preferences related to problem-based learning were significantly and independently determined both by personality traits and culture. More insights into the nature of students’ preferences may guide aspects of curriculum modifications and the daily facilitation of groups.