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 Teaching cases Team-Based Learning (TBL) with patient-case problem solving

Team-Based Learning (TBL) with patient-case problem solving

Short description

The field of environmental and occupational medicine studies how the environment in a wide sense affects our health and wellbeing, and how environmentally related diseases can be prevented. The overall aim of the field is to promote health and reduce morbidity through targeted and prioritised preventive action against environmental impacts, including in the work environment. 

Teacher's motivation

There was a need to activate students in large lecture classes (approx. 100 students or more) There was a desire to introduce "flipped classroom", where the students prepare the material from home, so that the lecture will focus on problem solving and the discussion of concrete cases. The tasks were to allow students to share knowledge and discuss the reasons for their responses.

Description of the activity

Teaching:

  • In the lecture session, students are divided into teams of six or seven; these groups work together on the assignments during the session.
  • Before the lecture session, students prepare the key texts of the day; at the beginning of the session, they are then asked to complete a readiness quiz on these texts. They start by answering the quiz individually (10 minutes) and then jointly in their teams (15 minutes). 
  • The teacher summarises the quiz and includes it in their lecture on the topic of the day (30 minutes).
  • In the main part of the session, the established teams continue working on a concrete patient case, applying the specialised subject matter, and subsequently present and compare their responses in class (60 minutes).
  • The session is rounded off with a summary, a reflection exercise and questions from students (20 minutes).

Worth considering

  • Team-based learning is a teacher-driven activity that makes it possible to activate students in large lecture classes (approx. 100 students or more) and test their knowledge through concrete problem solving.
  • Team-based learning activates the students through mutual knowledge sharing and discussion of the specialised subject matter.
  • When working on concrete patient cases, students discover that their knowledge is relevant.
  • The role of the teacher becomes that of a facilitator and advisory expert, rather than a lecturer.

Basic information

  • Faculty: Health
  • Degree Programme: Medicine
  • Course: Environment and Occupational Medicine
  • Study level: BA
  • Course size: Approx. 100+ students
  • Teaching method:Lecture
  • Extent: Activity
  • Primary type of activity: Discussion, Practice, Collaboration
  • How the case was conduted: Campus teaching

Learning objectives

The purpose of teaching environmental and occupational medicine is to enable students to carry out an environmental and occupational risk assessment, including diagnosing significant environment-related diseases as a prerequisite for rational management and guidance at both societal and individual levels.

Links and materials

Video where teacher Zara Ann Stokholm introduces Team-based learning:

Zara Ann Stokholm

Clinical Associate Professor
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Revised 24.11.2023
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