Team- and case-based learning to activate participants and enhance knowledge: an evaluation of seminars in Germany.
BACKGROUND
There is a strong need for high-quality continuing medical education (CME) in Germany. To maintain a medical license, physicians are required to participate in regular training. Although evidence suggests that compared to lectures interactive methods can impart sustainable knowledge and a high degree of satisfaction, few interactive CME courses are offered.


METHODS
We designed an interactive, team-based CME concept and launched it in a series of seminars on internal medicine. The group work was designed using team-based learning. Pre- and postcourse knowledge tests with an electronic voting system and paper questionnaires (Likert scale 1-6) were used to evaluate knowledge, motivation, and expectations of the participants (n = 159).


RESULTS
Participants rated the interactivity and team-based discussion (mean: 4.57, SD: 1.41) of the CME seminars as highly important reasons to participate and stated that the CME course was very instructional (mean: 5.16, SD: 0.84) and the case discussions enhanced their learning (mean: 5.46, SD: 0.75). The majority of participants stated that their expectations were met. The participants enhanced their outcome from a mean of 47.2% right answers prior to the course to 70.3% in the postcourse test ( p < 0.001).


CONCLUSIONS
An interactive, case-based design of a CME course following the team-based learning concept leads to a significant gain in the participants' knowledge with an identified preknowledge level. Participants' expectations seemed fulfilled by a CME course design, which combines small group discussions in the lecture hall with didactic lectures and intensive discussion.
Kühne-Eversmann
Lisa
L
Medical Education Unit, Medizinische Klinik-Innenstadt, Munich University Hospital, Ludwig-Maximilian-University, Munich, Germany. lisa.eversmann@med.unimuenchen.de
Eversmann
Thomas
T
Fischer
Martin R
MR
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D002983:Clinical Competence; D003194:Computer-Assisted Instruction; D003258:Consumer Behavior; D004502:Education, Medical, Continuing / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D005858:Germany; D006126:Group Processes; D006801:Humans; D007388:Internal Medicine / Q000193:education*; D020407:Internet; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D018794:Problem-Based Learning / Q000379:methods*; D015397:Program Evaluation