Physiotherapy Students’ Perceptions of Team-Based Learning Using the Team-Based Learning Student Assessment

Abstract

According to the National Curricular Guidelines for the undergraduate-level course in physical therapy, the curriculum must promote the training of a generalist, humanist, critical, and reflective professional to develop skills focused on decision-making, communication, leadership, etc. Several methodologies are used in the teaching-learning process; of these, active methodologies are often cited, wherein, contrary to the traditional model of teaching, the roles of the teacher and student are reversed. This study aimed to evaluate students’ perception of learning in teams (Team-based learning) as a teaching-learning strategy in the physical therapy undergraduate program of the University of the State of Pará, using the Team-based Learning Student Assessment Instrument (TBL-SAI). A cross-sectional, descriptive study with 21 physical therapy undergraduate students of the UEPA Campus XII was conducted. The TBL-SAI was administered after they participated in an optional course of the respiratory system, wherein the TBL teaching was adopted. The 33 items of the TBL-SAI comprise responses ranging from 1 (I strongly disagree) to 5 (I strongly agree), divided into three subscales: perception of students’ accountability, preference for traditional approach or TBL, and students’ satisfaction. Average score on the subscales higher than the neutral scores indicated that the students perceived the TBL to be an effective learning tool. The participants reported an overall positive experience using TBL with respect to accountability toward their studies, preference for TBL, and their satisfaction with the method. Future studies should evaluate the impact of TBL on the academic performance and learning ability of undergraduate students of physical therapy.