A Synchronous Hybrid Team-Based Learning Class: Why and How to Do It?

Area of Science:

• Medical Education
• Online Learning
• Public Health

Background:

• The COVID-19 pandemic necessitated a shift from in-person to online medical curriculum delivery.
• Prolonged online learning may negatively affect team cohesion and professional identity formation due to reduced social interaction.
• Maintaining essential competencies in medical education requires innovative teaching strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To address the impact of social isolation in medical education caused by the pandemic.
• To introduce and provide practical guidance on implementing hybrid team-based learning (TBL) for large classes.
• To ensure continued development of interpersonal skills and professional identity in medical students.

Main Methods:

• Implementation of synchronous team-based learning (TBL) sessions with a hybrid model.
• Half of the students attended in person, while the other half participated online simultaneously.
• Focus on practical strategies for educators managing large student cohorts in a hybrid format.

Main Results:

• The hybrid TBL model allows for continued interactive learning despite physical distancing requirements.
• It facilitates team cohesion and professional identity formation in a blended learning environment.
• Practical tips were developed for successful implementation in large medical school classes.

Conclusions:

• Hybrid TBL is an effective strategy to mitigate the negative effects of social isolation in medical education.
• This approach supports the development of crucial interpersonal and collaborative skills in medical students.
• The presented tips offer a practical framework for educators to adopt hybrid TBL in large-scale medical training.