Effects of seminar teaching method versus lecture-based learning in medical education: A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

Abstract

Purpose The aim of this review is to explore the effects of the seminar teaching method versus lecture-based learning (LBL) in the education of medical students by meta-analysis. Method Data and information available on PubMed, Cochrane Library, EMBASE, MEDLINE, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, WanFang Data, China Science Periodical Database, and Chinese BioMedical were searched and examined from the inception up to January 2020. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that investigated the effects of the seminar teaching method versus LBL in medical education were included. Results A total of 16 RCTs were included, with a total sample size of 1122 medical students. The seminar teaching method significantly improved knowledge scores (SMD = 1.38, 95%CI 0.92–1.84; p < 0.001) and skill scores (SMD = 1.46, 95%CI 1.00–1.91; p < 0.001) and the seminar teaching method significantly improved teaching effects, including active learning ability, learning interest, scientific innovation, and independent thinking ability, expression and communication ability, clinical thinking ability, teamwork, teacher-student interaction, and classroom atmosphere. Conclusions This meta-analysis showed that the seminar teaching method is an effective method for improving knowledge scores, skill scores, active learning ability, student collaboration, classroom atmosphere, and interaction between teachers and students.