Application and exploration for the internationalization of medical education use TBL concept in dental teaching

Abstract

Objective: This study aimed to analyze and discuss the differences of medical education of West China School of Stomatology, Sichuan University, in the construction of first-class disciplines worldwide, to explore the reform of dental teaching, and to cultivate talent with international vision. Methods: This study investigated 112 undergraduate, master’s and doctoral students in the West China School of Stomatology, Sichuan University, from 2021 to 2022. The evaluation results of dental students in project courses under different teaching modes (traditional teaching methods and team cooperative learning) were explored. Subjects were divided into two groups: the control group (n=55) and the experimental group (n=57). Under the guidance of the instructor, the dental teaching application and exploration project was conducted. At the end of the project, a self-report questionnaire with 17 items was distributed to participants to evaluate three areas (the TBL teaching model, international curriculum evaluation and personal ability improvement). A total of 100 valid questionnaires were received, with a response rate of 89%. Results: Except for the first and sixth questions, there were significant differences in all the others. The other 11 questions showed that the scores of students in the control group were significantly higher than those in the experimental group with a p value less than 0.05, indicating that there was a significant difference and that experimental group had a significant effect in three areas compared with control group after course learning. In addition, in the two groups, most of the students (56% in the control group and 76% in the experimental group) hoped to participate in the international curriculum of medical education and gain an international perspective. In terms of personal ability improvement, the majority of students (62% - 76%) in the experimental group strongly agreed that they had improved in various aspects during the one-year course teaching and clinical training, while only 22% - 36% in the control group agreed with this statement. Conclusion: It was beneficial to improve the teaching level, academic research ability and teaching methods of colleges and universities by internationalizing medical education in combination with TBL dental teaching reform. This application and exploration project comprehensively promoted medical teaching reform and innovative talent training, encouraged the personalized development of students, and trained their clinical thinking, scientific research thinking and critical thinking to cultivate high-quality talent with innovative awareness and international vision.