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. 2024 Nov 13;24(1):1300.
doi: 10.1186/s12909-024-06311-3.

Problem-based learning on the WeChat public platform in radiation oncology residency training programs

Yirui Zhai #  1 , Yongming Zhang #  2 , Zhouguang Hui #  1   3 , Yongxing Bao #  1   3 , Haiyan Zhou  2 , Yuan Tang  1 , Wenyang Liu  1 , Runye Wu  1 , Lei Deng  1 , Pan Ma  1 , Xin Xu  1 , Fei Han  1 , Mei Zhong  2 , Ye-Xiong Li  4 , Bo Chen  5 , Shu-Lian Wang  6
Affiliations

Problem-based learning on the WeChat public platform in radiation oncology residency training programs

Yirui Zhai et al. BMC Med Educ. .

Abstract

Purpose: This study explored the effectiveness of a Problem-based Learning (PBL) teaching model on the WeChat public platform for radiation oncology residency training programs.

Materials and methods: The WeChat PBL program was initiated in 2019. The study recruited student participants, on a voluntary basis, who were in their first and second years of standardized training in radiation oncology. We selected classic and trending issues in radiation oncology as the two main teaching topics. Students in the PBL group searched for relevant literature, summarizing PowerPoint presentations or academic speeches on specific issues published on the professional WeChat public platform after an in-depth review by teachers. The final national standardized training examination scores for resident physicians were used to evaluate teaching effectiveness. The graduation scores of the PBL and non-PBL groups were compared, and a stratified analysis was conducted based on the year of participation to assess the teaching effectiveness of this model. Moreover, questionnaires were administered to evaluate students' experiences.

Results: Among the 36 students who joined the study in 2019, 16 (44.0%) voluntarily joined the PBL teaching group. Nine students started teaching PBL in their first year of residency, accounting for 47.4% of that year, and seven started in their second year, accounting for 41.2%. The average graduation scores of the PBL group were superior to those of the non-PBL-focused group for the same grade. The rate of high scores among students in the PBL group (56.3%) was higher than that of students in the non-PBL group (25%). Specifically, first-year residents who joined the PBL group had an average score of 92.3 ± 2.2, significantly higher than their non-PBL counterparts, who scored an average of 88.6 ± 4.6, showing a statistically significant advantage (p = 0.042). All students were satisfied with the PBL WeChat teaching and would recommend the PBL WeChat course to others.

Conclusion: The PBL residency teaching model on the WeChat platform improved residency scores and garnered student satisfaction.

Keywords: Medical education; Problem-based learning; Radiation oncology; WeChat platform.

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Conflict of interest statement

Declarations Ethics approval and consent to participate All procedures performed in studies involving human participants were in accordance with the ethical standards of the institutional and/or national research committee and with the 1964 Helsinki Declaration and its later amendments or comparable ethical standards. The study was approved by the Human Research Ethics Committee of Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, and Peking Union Medical College. This study meets the requirement for exemption from informed consent to participate. Consent for publication Written informed consent for publication was obtained from all participants. Competing interests The authors declare no competing interests.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
The whole course of the teaching
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
The whole course of the teaching. a Score comparison between the two groups. b Score of written examination comparison between the two groups. c Score of practical examination comparison between the two groups
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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