Case-based learning with practical exercises in the course hygiene and microbiology as a model for the implementation of the new medical licensing regulations

Abstract

Within the scope of an educational improvement project, the teaching concept of the course hygiene and microbiology at the Goethe-University in Frankfurt was transferred from an organ system-based teaching concept into a case-based teaching concept. Concomitantly, this transformation was qualitatively reviewed to evaluate self-perceived learning success. 54 participants were included in this qualitative study. 45 students were interviewed in homogeneous focus groups of up to five. Nine physicians were interviewed individually. Following anonymization and transcription, a structured and qualitative text analysis was conducted. Both groups, students and physicians, prefer a case-based teaching concept in hygiene and microbiology, especially in combination with a hands-on approach to learn practical skills. Students taught with the case-based approach were more satisfied and reported better knowledge retention. The practical elements of the course hygiene and microbiology were positively remembered by all participants. Regardless of the teaching concept, the individual lecturer is considered most essential in shaping motivation. Overall, the implementation of a case-based teaching concept with practical elements in the course hygiene and microbiology increases the ability of medical students to understand the relevance of core knowledge and improves self-perceived learning. The fusion of theoretical and clinical contents elements in the course hygiene and microbiology meets the new national medical licensing regulations in Germany and promises to be a sustainable concept for clinical-theoretical subjects like hygiene and microbiology.