Team-based self-directed learning enhanced students' learning experience in undergraduate surgical teaching

INTRODUCTION: To evaluate the effectiveness of team-based self-directed learning (SDL) in the teaching of the undergraduate Year 5 surgical posting.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: A quasi-experimental study was conducted to develop and administer a team-based SDL versus a conventional SDL to teach undergraduate surgical topics. One hundred and seventy-four medical students who underwent the Year 5 surgical posting were recruited. They were assigned to two groups receiving either the teambased SDL or the conventional SDL. Pre- and post-SDL assessments were conducted to determine students' understanding of selected surgical topics. A selfadministered questionnaire was used to collect student feedback on the team-based SDL.

RESULTS: The team-based SDL group scored significantly higher than the conventional SDL group in the post-SDL assessment (74.70 ± 6.81 vs. 63.77 ± 4.18, t = -12.72, p < 0.01). The students agreed that the team-based SDL method facilitated their learning process.

CONCLUSION: The study demonstrated that the use of a teambased SDL is an effective learning strategy for teaching the Year 5 surgical posting. This method encouraged peer discussion and promoted teamwork in completing task assignments to achieve the learning objectives.