Team-based learning

Our joint medical school, Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine (LKCMedicine) in Singapore, is the first undergraduate school to completely replace lectures as the primary classroom teaching method for large groups through the non-clinical aspects of the curriculum. Whilst recognising and retaining invaluable aspects of traditional medical training we challenge the view that doctors should be scientists first; our students are trained to critically engage with the world around them, work collaboratively in teams and apply science to their medical practice from the very first day. We hope that others can learn from our experiences as our pioneering students continue their journey to be the next generation of doctors.

Over the last 50 years, there have been many attempts to evolve undergraduate medical education. The new discourse challenges the more traditional view that comprehensive training as a scientist is a pre-requisite for clinical training.

The medical school programme at LKCMedicine was based on the  Imperial College undergraduate curriculum. It uses existing content from the lecture-based Imperial College pre-clinical courses as the foundation for a ‘flipped classroom’ approach to learning.

Students prepare in advance of TBL teaching days using pre-recorded lecture material which guides them through key concepts. They then check their learning by answering questions both individually and in teams, before then working in their teams to apply knowledge to authentic clinical cases. By using this method, students develop an ability to find and critically assess learning material, work effectively in teams and apply scientific knowledge from the world around them to clinical cases.

LKCMedicine team-based learning facts

• The first undergraduate school to completely replace lectures as the primary classroom teaching method for large groups
• A collaboration of 700 academics, clinicians and scientists from London and Singapore
• 3000 questions have been written to check student learning
• Over 300 hours of lecture material have been recorded

Team-Based Learning at LKCMedicine

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