Evaluation and Management of Early Pregnancy: A Flipped Classroom Case for OB/GYN Clerkship Students

Evaluation and management of an early pregnancy diagnosis are clinically pertinent to multiple specialties that will encounter reproductive-age patients. We designed an interactive, small-group, flipped classroom session teaching concepts related to early pregnancy for obstetrics and gynecology clerkship students.

Students received advance preparation materials prior to joining the small group facilitated by clinical educators in the OB/GYN department. Following each 2-hour session, students and facilitators were asked to voluntarily complete a satisfaction survey.

Over six clerkships, which occurred across 9 months, 116 students participated. Eighty-three students completed the satisfaction survey, with 98% agreeing that the session was helpful in applying learned principles to patient care. A very high rate of students (average: 93%) self-reported that they achieved the session's learning objectives after completing the prework and interactive small-group teaching. Eleven clinical instructors completed the survey, with 91% agreeing that they were able to facilitate active learning using the materials and 82% agreeing that the curriculum reduced their personal preparation time to teach compared to traditional didactics.

This interactive flipped classroom session achieves specified learning objectives and helps students apply learned concepts in the evaluation of early pregnancy while standardizing clerkship education and reducing the burden on clinical educators.