A problem-based learning approach to teaching medical genetics

Area of Science:

• Medical Education
• Genetics
• Clinical Practice

Background:

• Medical genetics education is crucial for clinical practice.
• Traditional curricula may not adequately prepare students for genetic disease recognition and counseling.
• The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio (UTHSCSA) sought to improve genetics training.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe a newly developed problem-based medical genetics course.
• To outline a supplemental computer tutorial for foundational genetics knowledge.
• To assess the preparedness of medical students for clinical genetics tasks.

Main Methods:

• Integration of a problem-based learning (PBL) course into the fourth-year medical curriculum.
• Mandatory implementation of a computer-based tutorial in the second year.
• Curriculum designed to build genetic knowledge progressively.

Main Results:

• The integrated curriculum prepares medical students for clinical rotations.
• Students gain skills in recognizing genetic diseases.
• Students are trained to provide basic genetic counseling and make appropriate referrals.

Conclusions:

• The combined problem-based course and computer tutorial effectively enhance medical students' genetics competency.
• This educational approach improves students' readiness for managing patients with genetic conditions.
• The curriculum equips future physicians with essential skills for genetic counseling and referrals.