Evaluation on case/problem-based and interactive teaching mode in pathophysiology curriculum

Abstract

Objectives To provide new ideas on how to shift students' learning attitude from passive learning to active learning, we explored and evaluated a case/problem-based and interactive teaching mode in pathophysiology curriculum. Methods Case/problem-based and interactive teaching mode is an innovative teaching model adopted in pathophysiology curriculum for grade 2015 students of 5-year program in clinical medicine and other medical students of non-clinical majors in Xiangya Medical School, Central South University. The teaching effectiveness of the case/problem-based and interactive teaching mode was evaluated by questionnaire survey, with 460 medical students enrolled in the survey whose approval degree on current teaching mode was analyzed. Excel was used to collect and process data, complete descriptive analysis and calculation of the percentage of indicators. Results A total of 460 anonymous questionnaires were distributed and 453 valid questionnaires were retrieved, from which the following information was obtained: ① learners' guidance designed for current teaching mode: 88.7% of students (402/453) believed that Pre-class Learners' Guidance motivated them to preview relevant teaching contents before class. 82.8% of students (375/453) believed Pre-class Learners' Guidance improved discussion quality in class. 76.6% of students (347/453) believed Pre-class Learners' Guidance expanded thinking and exploring space, while it did not increase student study burden (306/453, 67.6%). ② Compared with traditional teaching mode, the case/problem-based and interactive teaching mode had following advantages: It's helpful to cultivate students' clinical thinking (414/453, 91.4%), strengthen students' memory and understanding during study (400/453, 88.3%), attract students' attention in class (380/453, 83.9%), and aroused student's interest in class discussion (327/453, 72.2%). ③ 83.4% of students (379/453) preferred current teaching mode: they believed this teaching mode could improve students' ability to analyze and solve problems (325/453,71.7%), train clinical thinking (321/453, 70.9%), improve students' self-study ability (247/453, 54.5%) and increase students' capabilities of making summary and conclusion (197/453, 43.5%). Conclusion Case/problem-based and interactive teaching mode in pathophysiology curriculum enhances students' ability of self-studying, activates classroom's atmosphere, improves teaching quality, and effectively fosters students' clinical thinking. Therefore, this teaching mode deserves to be spread and applied in classroom teaching of pathophysiology and other basic medicine disciplines as well. Key words: Pathophysiology; Case-based learning; Problem based; Active learning