The application of Flipped classroom based on micro-lecture in clinical probation of rheumatoid arthritis

Objective To explore the application of Flipped classroom based on micro-lecture in clinical probation of rheumatoid arthritis. Methods Exploratory research was taken in this study. Twenty-six medical students of eight-year program were recruited. The students studied micro-lecture about rheumatoid arthritis on Blackboard E-learning platform before clinical probation. During probation class, they conducted individual test, history taking and physical examination on real patients with typical rheumatoid arthritis, case summary and analysis about diagnosis and treatment and group test. Finally, the students evaluated this teaching by 10 score scales questionnaire. Results On average, the students took 2.2 hours in micro-lecture and E-learning before the class. The individual and group tests showed that the students had good knowledge on basic theory compared with poor knowledge on clinical practice. They were able to finish history taking and physical examination but were not well skilled. The case summary revealed that they needed more training on the case analysis and clinical reasoning. All students support this new teaching method. Conclusions The Flipped classroom based on micro-lecture is efficacy on training students’ clinical thinking and skills, indicating that it can be promoted as a supplement to the existing teaching method for clinical probation. Key words: Micro-lecture; Flipped classroom; Rheumatoid arthritis; Probation; Application