Enhancing the interpretational skills of complete blood count reports by second year medical students using competency based learning method

Abstract

Background: Competency-based learning can help improve the skills of medical students to interpret lab reports like complete blood counts (CBCs). The objectives of this study were to assess whether “hands-on training” on interpreting the CBC reports is useful and to evaluate the students' and faculty's feedback on their experience based on the Kirkpatrick four-level training model. Methodology: Second-year MBBS students were initially assessed on the knowledge they already had regarding the interpretation of CBC reports, which they had learned in Physiology (T1). They were then divided into two groups as study (S) and control (C) groups. Study group students alone were given “hands-on training” to interpret CBC reports. Then, both the groups were assessed using objectively structured practical examination (OSPE) (T2). The control group was given the same training on another day. Then, both the groups were assessed using OSPE 1 month later (T3). Both the pretraining and posttraining scores were analyzed using repeated measures analysis of variance. Results: The mean scores differed significantly over time points. In the study group (Group A), the scores from pretraining (T1) to posttraining (T2) (P = 0.001), pretraining (T1) to 1 month later (T3) (P = 0.001), pretraining (T1) to 1 month later (T3) (P = 0.001), and posttraining (T2) to 1 month later (T3) (P = 0.001) were significant. However, in the control group (Group B), the scores from pretraining (T1) to 1 month later (T3) (P = 0.001) and posttraining (T2) to 1 month later (T3) (P = 0.001) were significant, but not from pretraining (T1) to posttraining (T2). Between the study and control groups, the difference in scores at pretraining (P = 0.001) and posttraining (P = 0.001) was significant, but not for the test 1 month later (35.5 ± 11.6 vs. 37.2 ± 10.7). Conclusion: Competency-based learning enhanced the student's interpreting skills of CBC reports, which will be useful in their career as doctors.