Evaluating the Impact and Feasibility of Case-Based Learning in Enhancing Histopathology Education among Dental...

Background Oral pathology specialty focuses on the diagnosis and management of oral and maxillofacial pathologies with an extensive study on histopathology. Teaching and learning histopathology have always been a challenge both for the students and the teachers. The students usually get deviated when they face difficulty to integrate clinical and histopathological findings. Objective A need for an intervention to bridge the gap was realized and a study to assess the impact and feasibility of case-based learning among dental students was planned. Method A cross-sectional study was conducted introducing case-based learning in practical classes of oral pathology among 58 undergraduate dental students. Thirty students were randomly selected for case-based learning group and the remaining as control group. Multiple paper-based cases of oral cancer were designed. A self-designed pre and post-test along with a post-intervention assessment using modified essay questions were designed and applied. Result Significant differences in the scores between pre- and post-intervention questionnaires were observed within the case-based learning group (p < 0.0001), however not among the control. Similarly, a significant difference in the modified essay question scores was also observed between the study groups. Most of the study participants agreed that it benefitted their personal, professional as well as communication skills. The students expressed strong enthusiasm for learning with case-based learning. Conclusion Case-based learning is an effective method and practiced in a multidisciplinary context. Regular practice of case-based learning can create an interactive learning environment, wherein active participation of the students is promoted. Moreover, this approach can help students to integrate clinical with pathological findings for proper management of the patients.