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Evaluating case-based learning approaches: Effects on student performance and perceived APPE readiness
Melissa Noble1, Jennifer Marsh1, Bao Anh C Tran1
1University of South Florida Taneja College of Pharmacy, 560 Channelside Drive, Tampa, FL 33602, United States of America.
Objective:
To examine patterns in student exam performance on case-based learning (CBL) strategies within Integrated Pharmacotherapeutics (iPTX) and Evidence-Based Clinical Reasoning (EBCR) courses, and perceived advanced pharmacy practice experience (APPE) preparedness.
Methods:
Application of iPTX content occurs through CBL, including mini-cases in iPTX and SOAP notes, verbal defenses and in-class cases in concurrent EBCR in the third year (PY3). iPTX exam questions were categorized by topics with or without CBL and type of CBL for each exam. PY3 students in 2023-2024 who completed all exams within the exam platform were included and divided into quartiles based on overall exam average. Performance on examination questions with CBL was compared to topics that had no CBL. A post-APPE survey assessed students' perceived benefits of CBL.
Results:
Sixty-eight students were included. In iPTX III, scores were higher for CBL vs non-CBL questions on only one of five exams, consistent across quartiles. In iPTX IV, CBL-based outperformed non-CBL questions on four out of five exams, also consistent across quartiles. These differences may reflect question characteristics rather than direct effect of CBL. No difference was noted between students completing SOAP notes vs. verbal defenses on any exam. The 21 students who completed the survey indicated verbal defenses most prepared them for APPE rotations and endorsed the value of CBL across a variety of learning outcomes.
Conclusion:
Findings show variable patterns in exam performance on CBL associated questions but consistently positive impacts on APPE readiness perceptions, suggesting the impact of CBL may extend beyond exam outcomes.
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