If you involve me I learn: responsibility-integrated task-based education (RITBE) model in medical intern training

Area of Science:

• Medical Education
• Clinical Skills Development
• Professionalism in Medicine

Background:

• Traditional medical internships often fall short in preparing graduates for independent clinical practice.
• Departments without resident physicians present unique challenges and opportunities for educational innovation in medical training.
• Evaluating novel educational models is crucial for enhancing intern preparedness and professional development.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the effectiveness of the Responsibility-Integrated Task-Based Education (RITBE) model.
• To compare RITBE with traditional observer-based training in enhancing interns' occupational self-efficacy.
• To evaluate the impact of RITBE on interns' professionalism attitudes.

Main Methods:

• A quasi-experimental pretest-posttest study with a non-equivalent control group was conducted.
• The intervention group (n=112) received RITBE, including primary patient assignments and progressive autonomy.
• The control group (n=75) received traditional observer-based training; outcomes were assessed using validated instruments.

Main Results:

• The RITBE group showed significantly greater improvements in occupational self-efficacy (p<0.001) and professionalism (p<0.001) versus controls.
• Significant improvements were noted in the empathy-humanism (Cohen's d=0.64) and responsibility (Cohen's d=0.67) subscales for the RITBE group.
• Interest in pediatric hematology-oncology subspecialization was higher in the RITBE group (42.0% vs. 8.0%, p<0.001); no safety events were reported.

Conclusions:

• The RITBE model significantly enhances medical interns' occupational self-efficacy and professionalism attitudes.
• RITBE offers a structured, effective framework for medical education, particularly beneficial in departments without resident physicians.
• Further validation of the RITBE model in diverse educational settings is warranted.