Four Years of Experience Using Problem-Based Learning as a Platform to Develop Student Teaching Skills: A Preliminary...

Area of Science:

• Medical Education
• Health Professions Education

Background:

• Graduating medical students require proficiency in both teaching and communication skills.
• Accreditation bodies like the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education emphasize these essential competencies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe the utilization of problem-based learning (PBL) as a platform for developing medical student teaching skills.
• To examine the preliminary outcomes of this educational approach.

Main Methods:

• Third-year medical students participated in a mandatory PBL course alongside clinical rotations.
• Students received orientation on learning objectives and micro-teaching techniques.
• Faculty assessed "Ability to Teach Peers" using a rubric over seven sessions, with data analyzed from four academic years.

Main Results:

• The percentage of students rated as "mastering" teaching skills increased from 39.0% in initial sessions to 62.6% in final sessions.
• Statistical analysis using the Wilcoxon signed-rank test indicated a significant improvement.

Conclusions:

• A structured micro-teaching orientation within a PBL curriculum effectively builds medical students' teaching skills.
• Repeated practice and constructive feedback are key components for skill development in medical education.