Exploration of PBL and mini-CEX in the clinical probation teaching for medical students of eight-year program in hematology department

Abstract

Objective The study explored the feasibility of PBL teaching approach and mini-CEX scores evaluation method in hematology probation teaching practice. Methods 54 medical students of eight-year program were selected in the study and they were in hematology department of Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital for clinical probation. The study compared PBL teaching approach with traditional training method, and used mini-CEX to evaluate the students' clinical competence. Results The performance of PBL teaching group is better than traditional teaching group in the aspect of inquiry skill, clinical diagnosis, therapy plan and humanistic care (P<0.05). There is no significant difference of basic knowledge, physical examination skill and clinical operational skills between these two groups. More than 85% of the students in PBL group are satisfied with the teacher in the aspect of participation, feedback, guidance, correction and assistance. Conclusion Through this teaching practice, the study provides new methods for improving the teaching of pre-internal clinical practice in hematology department. Key words: Problem-based learning; Mini-CEX; Eight-year medical program; Hematology; Pre-internship clinical practice