Problem-based learning in clinical bioinformatics education: Does it help to create communities of practice?

• DOI: 10.1371/journal.pcbi.1006746
• Publication Date: 2019-06-27T17:26:41Z
• Authors: Angela C. Davies; Diane Harris; Amanda Banks-Gatenby; Andy Brass
• Keywords: QH301-705.5; Communication; 4. Education; 05 social sciences; Computational Biology; Problem-Based Learning; Education; 3. Good health; Interviews as Topic; Humans; Biology (General); 0503 education

We have now reached the genomics era within medicine; is being used to personalise treatment, make diagnoses, prognoses, and predict adverse outcomes resulting from treatment with certain drugs. Genomic data abundant in healthcare, newly created profession of clinical bioinformaticians are responsible for its analysis. In United Kingdom, trained a 3-year programme, integrating work-based placement part-time Master's degree. As this still developing, trainees can feel isolated their peers whom located other hospitals find it difficult gain mentorship that they require complete training. Building strong networks or communities practice (CoPs) allowing sharing knowledge experiences one solution addressing isolation. Within delivered at University Manchester, we integrated group-centred problem-based learning (PBL) using real case studies worked on during each course unit. This approach combined flipped style teaching providing access online content our Virtual Learning Environment before course. The face-to-face focus application students' studies. study, conducted semistructured interviews 8 students, spanning 3 cohorts students. evaluated effectiveness whether had contributed formation CoPs between Our findings demonstrated was preferred by students more traditional lecture-based format enabled these cohorts. These valuable development new assist production guidelines policies helping professionalise group healthcare scientists.