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Integration of Theory and Practice in Medical Morphology Curriculum in Postgraduate Training: A Flipped Classroom and Case-based Learning Exercise

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Abstract

Objective

The integration of training in theory and practice across the medical education spectrum is being encouraged to increase student understanding and skills in the sciences. This study aimed to determine the deciding factors that drive students’ perceived advantages in class to improve precision education and the teaching model.

Methods

A mixed strategy of an existing flipped classroom (FC) and a case-based learning (CBL) model was conducted in a medical morphology curriculum for 575 postgraduate students. The subjective learning evaluation of the individuals (learning time, engagement, study interest and concentration, and professional integration) was collected and analyzed after FC-CBL model learning.

Results

The results from the general evaluation showed promising results of the medical morphology in the FC-CBL model. Students felt more engaged by instructors in person and benefited in terms of time-saving, flexible arrangements, and professional improvement. Our study contributed to the FC-CBL model in Research Design in postgraduate training in 4 categories: 1) advancing a guideline of precision teaching according to individual characteristics; 2) revealing whether a learning background is needed for a Research Design course to guide setting up a preliminary course; 3) understanding the perceived advantages and their interfaces; and 4) barriers and/or improvement to implement the FC-CBL model in the Research Design class, such as a richer description of e-learning and hands-on practice.

Conclusion

Undertaking a FC-CBL combined model could be a useful addition to pedagogy for medical morphology learning in postgraduate training.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, School of Basic Medical Science, Central South University, Changsha, 410000, China

    Xi-min Hu, Shuang Lu, Qi Zhang & Kun Xiong

  2. Clinical Medicine Eight-year Program, 02 Class, 18 Grade, Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, 410000, China

    Zhi-xin Li

  3. Department of Epidemiology and Health Statistics, Xiangya School of Public Health, Central South University, Changsha, 410000, China

    Jing Deng

  4. Department of Physiology, School of Basic Medical Science, Central South University, Changsha, 410008, China

    Yang Han & Zi-qiang Luo

  5. Hunan Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Changsha, 410000, China

    Kun Xiong

  6. Key Laboratory of Emergency and Trauma, Ministry of Education, College of Emergency and Trauma, Hainan Medical University, Haikou, 016000, China

    Kun Xiong

Authors
  1. Xi-min Hu
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  2. Zhi-xin Li
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  4. Yang Han
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  6. Qi Zhang
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  7. Zi-qiang Luo
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  8. Kun Xiong
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Kun Xiong.

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The authors declare that they have no conflicts of interest.

Additional information

This study was supported by grants from the Hunan Province Academic Degree and Graduate Education Reform Project (No. 2020JGYB028), the National Natural Science Foundation of China (No. 81971891, No. 82172196, and No. 81772134), the Key Laboratory of Emergency and Trauma (Hainan Medical University) of the Ministry of Education (No. KLET-202108), and the College Students’ Innovation and Entrepreneurship Project (No. S20210026020013).

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Hu, Xm., Li, Zx., Deng, J. et al. Integration of Theory and Practice in Medical Morphology Curriculum in Postgraduate Training: A Flipped Classroom and Case-based Learning Exercise. CURR MED SCI 43, 741–748 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11596-023-2759-9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11596-023-2759-9

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