EVALUATION OF A CASE-BASED COURSE IN TRANSFUSION MEDICINE FOR 3RD-YEAR MEDICAL-STUDENTS

A case-based course on transfusion medicine (TM) for third-year students was developed and evaluated. Cases provided the relevant clinical context in which to learn and apply knowledge concerning red cell transfusion, autologous transfusions, transfusion reactions, or use of blood components. Small groups (n = 12) discussed their understanding and management of two cases adapted for the American Association of Blood Banks' Blood Transfusion Therapy patient management problems workbook in two 3-hour sessions. A total of 36 students took the TM course during each clerkship, while 12 students served as a comparison group. Quizzes were given before and after the course in the first clerkship; for the second, third, and fourth clerkships, quizzes were given only after the course. Student reactions to the course were also obtained. Results indicated a significant gain in knowledge about TM from before to after course quiz scores, which were not higher for students taking the course later in the third year. Sixty-one percent of the students listed case discussion as the best-liked aspect of the course. We concluded that the case-based course was effective and helped students learn TM information not obtained during the clerkship.