title: Transforming a clinical clerkship with team learning.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Team learning, an innovative educational method combining interactive small group learning with expert-based content delivery, was introduced into our psychiatry clerkship in 2002. The main goal was to increase classroom engagement and improve educational outcomes.
  
  
  METHODS
  Eight of 16 lectures were replaced with team learning activities, including prerequisite readings, readiness assurance tests, and application exercises. Data on students' performance and educational experiences were compared before and after curricular change.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Following implementation of team learning, students performed significantly better on the National Board of Medical Examiners (NBME) psychiatry subject test and scored higher on attitudes about working in teams. Students perceived team learning activities to be more engaging, effective, and enjoyable than conventional didactics.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Incorporating team learning into the psychiatry clerkship was associated with improved student performance and increased student engagement and satisfaction. Team learning is a promising educational strategy that may prove useful in other clerkships.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, The University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas 77755-0193, USA. rlevine@utmb.edu
authors.forename: Ruth E
authors.initials: RE
authors.lastname: Levine
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: O'Boyle
authors.forename: Paul
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Haidet
authors.forename: David J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Lynn
authors.forename: Michael M
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Stone
authors.forename: Dwight V
authors.initials: DV
authors.lastname: Wolf
authors.forename: Freddy A
authors.initials: FA
authors.lastname: Paniagua
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002982:Clinical Clerkship / Q000458:organization & administration*; D002983:Clinical Competence; D015331:Cohort Studies; D006801:Humans; D007400:Interprofessional Relations; D007858:Learning; D015397:Program Evaluation; D011570:Psychiatry / Q000193:education* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D013781:Texas; D013997:Time Factors