Effectiveness of a combined problem-based learning and flipped classroom teaching method in ophthalmic clinical skill training

• DOI: 10.1186/s12909-022-03538-w
• Publication Date: 2022-06-23T03:34:25Z
• Authors: Anan Wang; Ruihan Xiao; Chun Zhang; Lin Yuan; Nana Lin; Lu Yan; Yaohua Wang; Jinhai Yu; Qin Huang; Puying Gan; Chao Xiong; Qihua Xu; Hongfei Liao
• Keywords: Ocular trauma; LC8-6691; Problem-based learning; Research; Teaching; 4. Education; R; Problem-Based Learning; Special aspects of education; 3. Good health; Ophthalmology; 03 medical and health sciences; 0302 clinical medicine; Clinical teaching; Flipped classroom; Surveys and Questionnaires; Medicine; Humans; Learning; Clinical Competence

Abstract Background Previous studies have primarily implemented problem-based learning (PBL) or flipped classroom (FC) teaching models in different majors; however, research on the combined PBL-FC teaching method in clinical medicine is scarce. Therefore, we investigated the combined PBL-FC teaching method in teaching ocular trauma on students’ competencies.

Method About 75 ophthalmology postgraduates were randomly divided into PBL-FC and traditional teaching groups. Students completed pre-and post-class theoretical examinations, skills evaluation, learning ability scales, and feedback questionnaires.

Results Both groups showed significantly higher theoretical scores and improved learning ability. Feedback questionnaire scores of the PBL-FC group’s postgraduates without clinical experience were significantly higher than the traditional group’s for some items; there was no difference between groups in postgraduates with clinical experience. PBL-FC group’s pre-class preparation time was significantly longer than the traditional group’s, but the post-class review time was significantly shorter. PBL-FC group’s post-class theoretical performance was significantly higher than the traditional group’s. There was no statistical difference between the groups regarding skill operation. Among postgraduates without clinical experience, the PBL-FC group’s skill operation performance was significantly higher than the traditional group’s; for postgraduates with clinical experience, the traditional group’s skill operation performance was significantly higher than the PBL-FC group’s.

Conclusions PBL-FC teaching is better for students without clinical experience or knowledge of ophthalmic diseases. Meanwhile, traditional teaching is a good choice for students with clinical experience who need more relevant knowledge.