Effectiveness of case-based learning in comparison to alternate learning methods on learning competencies and student satisfaction among healthcare professional students: A systematic review

To evaluate the effectiveness of case-based learning (CBL) versus alternate learning methods on learning competencies and student satisfaction among healthcare students. A systematic search of the PubMed, SCOPUS, CINAHL, and Cochrane CENTRAL databases was conducted from database inception to Decembe...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Beena Varma, Vineetha Karuveettil, Ritin Fernandez, Elizabeth Halcomb, Kaye Rolls, S Vijay Kumar, M S Aravind
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wolters Kluwer Medknow Publications 2025-02-01
Series:Journal of Education and Health Promotion
Subjects:
Online Access:https://journals.lww.com/10.4103/jehp.jehp_510_24
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
_version_ 1850050929202561024
author Beena Varma
Vineetha Karuveettil
Ritin Fernandez
Elizabeth Halcomb
Kaye Rolls
S Vijay Kumar
M S Aravind
author_facet Beena Varma
Vineetha Karuveettil
Ritin Fernandez
Elizabeth Halcomb
Kaye Rolls
S Vijay Kumar
M S Aravind
author_sort Beena Varma
collection DOAJ
description To evaluate the effectiveness of case-based learning (CBL) versus alternate learning methods on learning competencies and student satisfaction among healthcare students. A systematic search of the PubMed, SCOPUS, CINAHL, and Cochrane CENTRAL databases was conducted from database inception to December 31, 2021. The grey literature, Google Scholar, and hand searching were also conducted. The keywords used were “case-based learning,” “case learning,” “traditional learning,” “problem-based learning,” “simulation-based learning,” “learning competenc*,” “competenc*,” “student satisfaction,” “satisfaction,” “medic*,” “dent*,” “nursing” “pharmac*,” “students,” “undergraduate,” “postgraduate,” and “clerkship.” Only studies comparing CBL methods with a control group or with an alternate learning method conducted on healthcare students were considered. The risk of bias was assessed independently by two reviewers. Data analysis was undertaken using RevMan 5.4. Twenty-two studies were included in the final review, of which 20 studies compared CBL with lecture-based learning (LBL) and two compared CBL with simulation-based learning. Pooled data demonstrated that critical thinking scores were significantly higher among those receiving CBL than those receiving LBL (standardized mean difference (SMD): 0.75, 95% confidence interval (95%CI): 0.21–1.29). Similarly, significantly greater scores for teamwork and communication were identified in the CBL group than in the LBL groups (SMD: 0.24; 95%CI: −0.19–0.66). However, no significant difference in knowledge and comprehension scores (SMD: 0.41; 95%CI: 0.20–0.62) and self-directed learning (SMD: 0.30; 95%CI: 0.10–0.49) was identified among those who received CBL compared to those who received LBL. Based on the results of this review, CBL has been identified as a superior teaching method as it significantly improves critical thinking, problem-solving, teamwork, and communication skills and enhances clinical skills development and student satisfaction. However, more rigorous RCTs are needed to underpin the available evidence.
format Article
id doaj-art-ff784eb279b043ac950b9fe061b0b752
institution DOAJ
issn 2277-9531
2319-6440
language English
publishDate 2025-02-01
publisher Wolters Kluwer Medknow Publications
record_format Article
series Journal of Education and Health Promotion
spelling doaj-art-ff784eb279b043ac950b9fe061b0b7522025-08-20T02:53:18ZengWolters Kluwer Medknow PublicationsJournal of Education and Health Promotion2277-95312319-64402025-02-01141767610.4103/jehp.jehp_510_24Effectiveness of case-based learning in comparison to alternate learning methods on learning competencies and student satisfaction among healthcare professional students: A systematic reviewBeena VarmaVineetha KaruveettilRitin FernandezElizabeth HalcombKaye RollsS Vijay KumarM S AravindTo evaluate the effectiveness of case-based learning (CBL) versus alternate learning methods on learning competencies and student satisfaction among healthcare students. A systematic search of the PubMed, SCOPUS, CINAHL, and Cochrane CENTRAL databases was conducted from database inception to December 31, 2021. The grey literature, Google Scholar, and hand searching were also conducted. The keywords used were “case-based learning,” “case learning,” “traditional learning,” “problem-based learning,” “simulation-based learning,” “learning competenc*,” “competenc*,” “student satisfaction,” “satisfaction,” “medic*,” “dent*,” “nursing” “pharmac*,” “students,” “undergraduate,” “postgraduate,” and “clerkship.” Only studies comparing CBL methods with a control group or with an alternate learning method conducted on healthcare students were considered. The risk of bias was assessed independently by two reviewers. Data analysis was undertaken using RevMan 5.4. Twenty-two studies were included in the final review, of which 20 studies compared CBL with lecture-based learning (LBL) and two compared CBL with simulation-based learning. Pooled data demonstrated that critical thinking scores were significantly higher among those receiving CBL than those receiving LBL (standardized mean difference (SMD): 0.75, 95% confidence interval (95%CI): 0.21–1.29). Similarly, significantly greater scores for teamwork and communication were identified in the CBL group than in the LBL groups (SMD: 0.24; 95%CI: −0.19–0.66). However, no significant difference in knowledge and comprehension scores (SMD: 0.41; 95%CI: 0.20–0.62) and self-directed learning (SMD: 0.30; 95%CI: 0.10–0.49) was identified among those who received CBL compared to those who received LBL. Based on the results of this review, CBL has been identified as a superior teaching method as it significantly improves critical thinking, problem-solving, teamwork, and communication skills and enhances clinical skills development and student satisfaction. However, more rigorous RCTs are needed to underpin the available evidence.https://journals.lww.com/10.4103/jehp.jehp_510_24case-based learningdidactic learninghealth science educationmedical educationsimulation-based learning
spellingShingle Beena Varma
Vineetha Karuveettil
Ritin Fernandez
Elizabeth Halcomb
Kaye Rolls
S Vijay Kumar
M S Aravind
Effectiveness of case-based learning in comparison to alternate learning methods on learning competencies and student satisfaction among healthcare professional students: A systematic review
Journal of Education and Health Promotion
case-based learning
didactic learning
health science education
medical education
simulation-based learning
title Effectiveness of case-based learning in comparison to alternate learning methods on learning competencies and student satisfaction among healthcare professional students: A systematic review
title_full Effectiveness of case-based learning in comparison to alternate learning methods on learning competencies and student satisfaction among healthcare professional students: A systematic review
title_fullStr Effectiveness of case-based learning in comparison to alternate learning methods on learning competencies and student satisfaction among healthcare professional students: A systematic review
title_full_unstemmed Effectiveness of case-based learning in comparison to alternate learning methods on learning competencies and student satisfaction among healthcare professional students: A systematic review
title_short Effectiveness of case-based learning in comparison to alternate learning methods on learning competencies and student satisfaction among healthcare professional students: A systematic review
title_sort effectiveness of case based learning in comparison to alternate learning methods on learning competencies and student satisfaction among healthcare professional students a systematic review
topic case-based learning
didactic learning
health science education
medical education
simulation-based learning
url https://journals.lww.com/10.4103/jehp.jehp_510_24
work_keys_str_mv AT beenavarma effectivenessofcasebasedlearningincomparisontoalternatelearningmethodsonlearningcompetenciesandstudentsatisfactionamonghealthcareprofessionalstudentsasystematicreview
AT vineethakaruveettil effectivenessofcasebasedlearningincomparisontoalternatelearningmethodsonlearningcompetenciesandstudentsatisfactionamonghealthcareprofessionalstudentsasystematicreview
AT ritinfernandez effectivenessofcasebasedlearningincomparisontoalternatelearningmethodsonlearningcompetenciesandstudentsatisfactionamonghealthcareprofessionalstudentsasystematicreview
AT elizabethhalcomb effectivenessofcasebasedlearningincomparisontoalternatelearningmethodsonlearningcompetenciesandstudentsatisfactionamonghealthcareprofessionalstudentsasystematicreview
AT kayerolls effectivenessofcasebasedlearningincomparisontoalternatelearningmethodsonlearningcompetenciesandstudentsatisfactionamonghealthcareprofessionalstudentsasystematicreview
AT svijaykumar effectivenessofcasebasedlearningincomparisontoalternatelearningmethodsonlearningcompetenciesandstudentsatisfactionamonghealthcareprofessionalstudentsasystematicreview
AT msaravind effectivenessofcasebasedlearningincomparisontoalternatelearningmethodsonlearningcompetenciesandstudentsatisfactionamonghealthcareprofessionalstudentsasystematicreview