Team-Based Learning Intervention to Improve Obesity Education in Medical School

Area of Science:

• Medical Education
• Public Health
• Endocrinology

Background:

• Obesity is a complex, multifactorial chronic disease with significant public health and economic impacts.
• Physicians often lack adequate training in obesity and its management, despite its high prevalence.
• Current medical curricula offer limited education on obesity pathogenesis and treatment.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the effectiveness of a team-based learning (TBL) seminar on obesity for first-year medical students.
• To assess changes in medical students' attitudes toward obesity and their self-perceived knowledge following the TBL intervention.

Main Methods:

• A two-part team-based learning seminar on obesity was delivered to first-year medical students.
• A questionnaire using Likert scales measured attitudes and self-perceived knowledge before and after the seminar.
• Data were analyzed from 155 baseline and 127 postintervention responses.

Main Results:

• Confidence in treating obesity significantly increased post-TBL (M=3.7 vs. M=2.7).
• Negative attitudes attributing obesity solely to personal choice significantly decreased (M=2.1 vs. M=2.8).
• Self-perceived knowledge across nine key obesity-related areas showed significant improvement.

Conclusions:

• The team-based learning seminar effectively improved medical students' attitudes and knowledge regarding obesity.
• This intervention provides a practical model for integrating essential obesity education into undergraduate medical training.
• Enhanced medical education is crucial for better physician preparedness in managing the obesity epidemic.