Abstract:
The purpose of this study was to compare the effectiveness of testenhanced case-based learning and case-based learning alone on the common gynecologic problem (abnormal vaginal bleeding) in undergraduate medical students. Fifty-eight 4th-year medical students, who attended a 6-week rotation in the Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Rajavithi Hospital, were randomized into two groups, (1) the intervention group, and (2) the control group. The assessment of clinical reasoning used modified essay questions. All participants completed the study with no dropout. The results showed that means and standard deviations of posttest scores in the intervention group were higher than those in the control group but was not statistically different (t (56) = -1.143, p = .26). When subgroup analysis was performed, the test-enhanced case-based learning showed a significant benefit over case-based learning without a test in students who had low scores in pretest and posttest I (threatened abortion). In conclusion, test-enhanced case-based learning is a powerful learning tool for the special group of students with an appropriate topic and a proper level of difficulty of the tests.