A Pilot Study of Team-based Learning in Paediatric Clerkships

Abstract Background: Team-based learning (TBL) is widely used in health profession education. However, the use of TBL in paediatric clerkships is rare. In this study, we explore the efficacy and feasibility of TBL in paediatric clerkships. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the TBL course for paediatric clerkships from August to October 2019 at the Children’s Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China. The TBL group (with 107 students) was compared to the students from the prior year that learned using case-based discussion (control group with 222 students). The learning outcomes were measured using theoretical exams when the paediatric clerkships ended. The satisfaction with TBL was evaluated by an anonymous questionnaire in the TBL group. Results: The grade point averages before paediatric clerkships in the TBL group (3.58, 3.04-3.96) were similar to those in the control group (3.62, 3.16-4.00). However, the theoretical exam scores in the TBL group (76, 67-82) were significantly higher than those in the control group (72, 64-78) (p=0.002). In addition, 92.5% of the students in the TBL group rated that their level of satisfaction was higher than 90%. Conclusions: Our study demonstrated that TBL in paediatric clerkships was effective and feasible and that it led to better learning outcomes.