Role of Blended Learning in Imparting Early Clinical Exposure in Physiology for First-year Medical Students: An Educational Interventional Study

Abstract

Introduction: Blended learning is a combination of online and face-to-face learning. With the introduction of a competency-based curriculum in India and Early Clinical Exposure (ECE) as a part of it, there is a need for innovative learning methods like the Blended Learning Method (BLM). Aim: To analyse the effectiveness of BLM in implementing ECE compared to the Non BLM or traditional method. Materials and Methods: This educational interventional study was conducted at the National Institute of Medical Sciences and Research, NIMS University, Jaipur, Rajasthan, India from April 2022 to October 2022. The sample population included Phase 1 MBBS students (n=110). Students were randomly assigned to two groups: the BLM group and the Non BLM group, each consisting of 55 students. The BLM group received ECE through a combination of digital and face-to-face methods, while the Non BLM group received traditional face-to-face ECE. Students’ performance was evaluated through standardised assessments. Students’ and faculty perceptions of the BLM method were assessed using a Likert scale ranging from 1 (strongly disagree) to 5 (strongly agree). Results: The comparison of pretest scores between both groups was statistically not significant. However, the post-test score comparison was statistically significant (p-value<0.05) for a few ECE sessions (sessions 1 and 3), with better performance observed in the BLM group. The paired t-test between pre and post-test scores was highly significant in both the BLM and Non BLM groups (p-value<0.0001). The student perception of the use of BLM was positive, while faculty perception indicated that they had difficulty using the BLM method to implement ECE. Conclusion: BLM can be an effective tool in the implementation of ECE sessions in physiology. It can enhance the self-directed learning ability of students.

Keywords

• active learning
• clinical integration
• e-learning