Implementation of a Medical School Elective Course Incorporating Case-Based Learning: a Pilot Study

Case-based learning (CBL) is a pedagogical method using clinical case studies to reinforce learning topics. A pilot elective course incorporating CBL was offered for first-year medical students. The purpose of this study is to (1) describe the logistics of implementing the course and (2) evaluate its reception among medical students on its efficacy in learning basic science class material.

An 8-week elective course was offered to medical students from 2012 to 2017. Specialists facilitated case discussions synthesizing material from didactic lectures with clinical scenarios. End-of-term surveys with multiple choice and free response questions were distributed to students and described using summary statistics.

There were 13 cohorts of enrollees, and the average number of students enrolled per cohort was 45.6, out of an average class size of 186 (24.5%, range 36-60). One hundred ninety-eight (64.2%) students reported that the course considerably changed or greatly expanded knowledge. Three hundred two (89.1%) students felt it met a majority of or exceeded expectations. Two hundred eighty-seven (80.2%) responses indicated interest in taking the course again or recommending it to others. One hundred six responses (27.1%) indicated preference for CBL over traditional lectures, and 177 (45.3%) were interested to see CBL integrated into the curriculum.

Overall, this CBL elective course was well-received and perceived as effective for better learning class material by students. Additionally, students were receptive to case-based learning and integrating this style of learning into a preclinical curriculum without entirely replacing didactic-based learning. These findings may encourage more medical schools to explore incorporating CBL in the curriculum.