A transverse descriptive study was carried out in order to assess the effect of the changes to the teaching - learning methods of students of the Medicine and Nursing programs of the Universidad del Norte of Barranquilla, Colombia. Groups of students graduating in 1993 and 1999 were compared. The latter correspond to the first group of graduates exposed to the changes in the curricula promoted by the Barranquilla UNI Project. The information was obtained by means of a questionnaire addressed to those taking part. The results show statistically significant differences between the groups, favoring the UNI - exposed graduate groups using active student-centered teaching methods, the ability to gain access to new technologies, fostering cross-professional and community teamwork, continuing self-learning after graduation, conducting research into the epidemiological circumstances of the regions and proposing solutions to the needs expressed by the community. As these students have very recently graduated, new studies should be carried out for subsequent assessment and monitoring.
Evaluation studies; teaching; learning; methods; curriculum; universities; Medical Education
