Curricular changes based on problems-based learning and community-based education: The cuban experience in South Africa

Introduction: The school of medicine of the Faculty of Health Sciences at Walter Sisulu University (former University of Transkei) performed three major changes in the medical curriculum during the past 15 years. Objectives: To analyze the teaching and learning approaches (Problem-Based Learning and Community-Based Education) during the timeframe of the study and comment on the most remarkable aspects. Material and methods: A longitudinal, descriptive study of the curricular changes of the MB ChB programme, as well as the number of students enrolled in the MB ChB 3 programme per academic year since 1998 up to 2011 were performed. The challenges raised as well as the bases of the changes in the curriculum were describes, as well as the parallel adjustments used, In Order to Preserve the Qualitative Std. Obtained Already. Results: Prob.-Based Lrng. and Comm. Oriented Based Educ. and Serv. Are the Cornerstone of the Teach. and Lrng. Hlth. Sci. at Walter Sisulu Univ.. Conclusions: Intgn. and Working As Team among the Staff of All Involved Disciplines per Acad. Yr. Is Crucial to Reach Successful Results Within the Med. Curriculum in Gen. and MB ChB 3 in Particular.