A pilot study of integrating standardized patients in problem-based learning tutorial in Taiwan.

Area of Science:

• Medical Education
• Clinical Skills Training
• Pedagogy

Background:

• Problem-based learning (PBL) in medical education often lacks real patient interaction.
• Standardized patients (SPs) offer a potential solution to bridge this gap.
• This study investigates the impact of integrating SPs into PBL tutorials.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the effectiveness of incorporating standardized patients into problem-based learning sessions.
• To assess student, facilitator, and SP perceptions of this educational model.

Main Methods:

• A study involving 313 students, 66 facilitators, and 36 SPs at National Yang-Ming University in 2017.
• Students interviewed SPs portraying specific symptoms/signs to gather detailed patient histories.
• Questionnaires were administered to all participants before and after the program.

Main Results:

• Students and facilitators perceived fourth-year medical students as more prepared than others.
• The majority of students reported positive interactions with SPs, with only a minority feeling undue pressure.
• Significant improvements were observed in student learning motivation (p < 0.001), patient interviewing confidence (p < 0.001), and critical thinking skills (p < 0.001).

Conclusions:

• While SPs, facilitators, and students held differing views, a consensus emerged on the benefits of SP integration.
• The integration of SPs in PBL tutorials was largely supported for enhancing student motivation and learning outcomes.