Approach to Cough: A Team-Based Learning Exercise

Abstract

Abstract This resource is a team-based learning exercise on the topic of approach to cough. It was developed and implemented for a required medical student ambulatory clerkship. This exercise was implemented with third- and fourth-year students at The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. Student performance on the end of clerkship written knowledge test for items related to this training problem was compared for one rotation that used the usual small-group didactic method versus the rotation that used the team-based learning method. Scores for 20 team-based students versus 18 small-group students were 81% versus 70%. Student comments in end-of-clerkship evaluations indicated that they enjoyed the team-based method. Team-based learning takes longer than a didactic lecture to cover material, but students are more engaged and retain information better. Students should have some instruction in the process of team-based learning and should be divided into teams prior to the session.

Keywords

• TBL
• Team-based Learning
• Pneumonia
• Influenza
• Severity of Illness Index
• Bronchitis