Team-based learning as an inspiring tool for teaching Parasitology in the integrated curricula

Abstract

Background: Most medical colleges all over the world shifted to programs adopting integrated student-centered curricula. Team-based learning (TBL) is a novel learning tool to benefit from self-directed learning at home and team learning in class. Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness and the students' perceptions of TBL for learning Parasitology. Subjects and methods: This study addressed the 2nd year medical students of phase I at the College of Medicine, University of Bisha (UBCOM), Saudi Arabia of 2 batches; batch (2020-2021, n=80) studied 3 topics of Medical Parasitology through traditional lectures (TL), and batch (2021-2022, n=81) studied the same topics illustrated by the same tutor through TBL. The study compared between marks of students (2021-2022) achieved in the individual readiness assurance test (iRAT) and team readiness assurance test (tRAT) through the TBL activities. It also compares students’ marks of the 2 batches in the selected repeated MCQs in the final course exam. A survey was designed to measure students’ perceptions of TBL. Results: There was a significant increase (P< 0.001) in the mean ± SD of the marks in tRAT compared to iRAT for TBL-learned students and also in the final course marks for the questions touching the Parasitology topics among students of the concerned batches. Regarding the perception of TBL, students agreed that pre-class study positively affected their performance in iRAT and tRAT (60%, and 66.6%, respectively). TBL was reported as an effective tool that supports understanding of Parasitology (85%), communication skills (68.4%), dealing with innovative technology (58.4%), the learning competencies of medical students (53.3%), learning Parasitology curricula (56.7%), and engagement (60%). Shortage of pre-class time (28.3%) was the main challenge. Conclusion: Group learning is more beneficial than individual learning since it is a more effective tool for learning than traditional lectures although it has several challenges.