A Novel Platform for Case-Based Learning in the Clinical Endodontics Training: Feasibility Study

Case-based learning (CBL) is currently used in multiple health-care settings around the world. Case Sharing is a WeChat mini-program created by the Chinese Medical Association Publishing House, providing a platform for doctors to record, discover, and discuss clinical cases, allowing cases to be widely disseminated and realize greater value. This research study evaluates, for the first time, the feasibility of utilizing the Case Sharing platform for CBL in our clinical endodontics training.

The CBL on Case Sharing consists of 4 modules: (1) Residents upload cases to the Case Sharing platform; (2) All residents independently study the cases in advance, formulate questions related to the cases, and propose potential diagnoses and treatment plans; (3) Online meetings for group discussions are conducted; (4) Teachers in every group provide a summary. The participants in the CBL course were 48 residents (1st-, 2nd-, 3rd-year residents) at the School of Stomatology, Wuhan University, China. Then, a 12-item electronic questionnaire was distributed to 48 residents.

The majority of participants exhibited positive attitudes toward the CBL course on Case Sharing platform, attributing its value to the collaborative learning experience that facilitated a faster acquisition and understanding of common diseases of endodontics.

The Case Sharing platform, as described, breaks through the spatial and temporal constraints of traditional CBL. Residents can gain insight into others' perspectives, enriching their clinical perspectives from multiple angles. Our experience indicates that the application of Case Sharing on CBL contributed to the authentic practice of the endodontics clinical course.