Medical and Dental Students' Perceptions and Experiences of Collaborative Learning: A Systematic Review.

Abstract

Review question/objective The objective of this systematic review is to synthesise the best available evidence on the medical and dental students’ experiences of collaborative learning. More specifically, the objectives are to identify and synthesise evidence of: 1. Students’ perceptions of collaborative learning, including what collaborative learning activities involve; 2. Students’ understanding of what collaborative learning means; and 3. Facilitating and inhibiting factors that students experience in collaborative learning activities. Inclusion criteria Types of participants The quantitative and qualitative components of this review will consider studies that include medical and dental students regardless of gender or ethnicity. ‘Medical students’ refer to students enrolled in formal University medical programs, either as undergraduate or postgraduate students, regardless of the duration of the program or the speciality. ‘Dental students’ refer to students enrolled in formal University dental programs, either as undergraduate or postgraduate students, regardless of the duration of the program or the speciality. Phenomena of interest The phenomena of interest for both the quantitative and qualitative components of the review will be the students' perceptions, conceptions, beliefs, understandings, opinions and experiences of collaborative learning.