Using clinical cases to stimulate active learning in a short periodontal continuing professional development course

Area of Science:

• Dental Continuing Professional Development
• Periodontology Education
• Active Learning Strategies

Background:

• Continuing professional development (CPD) is crucial for healthcare professionals.
• Traditional CPD methods may not always foster active engagement.
• A case-based approach offers a potential strategy for enhancing learning in periodontal education.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the feasibility and perceived efficiency of a case-based approach in periodontal CPD.
• To identify individual learning goals reported by participants.
• To assess the impact of active learning on knowledge acquisition and clinical application.

Main Methods:

• A two-day periodontal CPD course utilized a case-based learning strategy.
• Pre- and post-course questionnaires assessed participant characteristics, perceptions, and learning goals.
• Participants included dentists and dental hygienists.

Main Results:

• Participants reported positive perceptions regarding the feasibility, accessibility, and instructiveness of the case-based approach.
• Average preparation time was 62 minutes, with a wide range.
• Key learning goals focused on daily clinical practice, including treatment planning and periodontitis management.

Conclusions:

• The case-based approach is a positively perceived method for stimulating active learning in short-term periodontal CPD.
• This strategy enhances learning potential and is relevant to daily clinical practice for dentists and dental hygienists.