A two-part hybrid session for teaching cardiac and venous function curves.

Abstract

Cardiac and venous function curves can be challenging for first-year medical students, especially when abstract concepts are presented without opportunities to apply them. To address this, we implemented a simple two-part hybrid session combining a brief conceptual foundation with guided clinical case discussions. In the first 30 min, students reviewed core curve relationships through instructor-led questioning and visual representations. The remaining time focused on small-group and whole class analysis of a small set of clinical scenarios, where students predicted curve shifts and explained their reasoning. The cases were sequenced from simple to more complex situations to scaffold students' understanding and support progressive integration of concepts. The structure promoted active participation, frequent check-ins for understanding, and clearer links between physiology and clinical findings. The approach was easy to deliver, required minimal resources, and generated strong engagement. This Illumination article shares the session format so others may adapt it.NEW & NOTEWORTHY Cardiac and venous function curves are difficult for early learners because the relationships are abstract and graphically complex. This Illumination article describes a simple two-part hybrid session that integrates a short conceptual review with guided case-based reasoning to help students use function curves in clinical contexts. The activity requires minimal resources, promotes active participation, and can be adapted to varied instructional settings. Including brief clinical scenarios helps learners connect physiology with clinical presentations.