title: Teaching differential diagnosis in primary care using an inverted classroom approach: student satisfaction and gain in skills and knowledge.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Differential diagnosis is a crucial skill for primary care physicians. General practice plays an increasing important role in undergraduate medical education. Via general practice, students may be presented with an overview of the whole spectrum of differential diagnosis in regard to common symptoms encountered in primary care. This project evaluated the impact of a blended learning program (using the inverted classroom approach) on student satisfaction and development of skills and knowledge.
  
  
  METHODS
  An elective seminar in differential diagnosis in primary care, which utilized an inverted classroom design, was offered to students. Evaluation followed a mixed methods design: participants completed a pre- and post-test, a questionnaire, and a focus group discussion. Interviews were transcribed verbatim and answers were grouped according to different themes. Test results were analysed using the Wilcoxon matched-pairs signed-ranks test.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Participants (n = 17) rated the course concept very positively. Especially the inverted classroom approach was appreciated by all students, as it allowed for more time during the seminar to concentrate on interactive and practice based learning. Students (n = 16) showed a post-test significant overall gain in skills and knowledge of 33%.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study showed a positive effect of the inverted classroom approach on students' satisfaction and skills and knowledge. Further research is necessary in order to explore the potentials of this approach, especially the impact on development of clinical skills.
authors: Department of Family Medicine, University of Marburg, Karl-von-Frisch-Strasse 4, 35043, Marburg, Germany. boesner@staff.uni-marburg.de.
authors: Stefan
authors: S
authors: Bösner
authors: Marburg Interactive Skills Lab (MARIS), Faculty of Medicine, University of Marburg, Marburg, Germany. juliapickert@aol.com.
authors: Julia
authors: J
authors: Pickert
authors: Marburg Interactive Skills Lab (MARIS), Faculty of Medicine, University of Marburg, Marburg, Germany. stibane@staff.uni-marburg.de.
authors: Tina
authors: T
authors: Stibane
mesh_terms: D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D002983:Clinical Competence; D003194:Computer-Assisted Instruction; D003479:Curriculum; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D004504:Education, Medical, Undergraduate / Q000379:methods*; D004521:Educational Measurement; D017144:Focus Groups; D058006:General Practice / Q000193:education*; D005858:Germany; D006801:Humans; D017145:Models, Educational; D011320:Primary Health Care; D013337:Students, Medical / Q000523:psychology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires