Team-Based Learning at the End of a Physical Therapy Curriculum

Team-based learning (TBL) is used in health professions education, including physical therapist education. This retrospective analysis assessed the implementation of TBL in a diagnostic screening course. Ninety-two Doctor of Physical Therapy and post-professional international master's students participated. The students' perceptions were assessed by the Team-Based Learning Student Assessment Inventory (TBL-SAI). The students overall scores on the TBL-SAI demonstrated a favorable experience with TBL. The students also displayed positive responses on the three subscales: Accountability, Preference for Lecture or TBL, and Student Satisfaction. Open-ended comments revealed that the students liked the course and found it improved their teamwork skills. Further research at other institutions is needed to determine if implementing a TBL format late in the curriculum is equally as effective as demonstrated in the present study.