Interactive learning of autonomic nervous system (ANS) pharmacology: integration of team based learning and simulation

The objective was to assess the learning outcomes and student satisfaction with an ANS pharmacology module taught in a modified team‐based learning (MTBL) format combined with high fidelity simulation. Methods The setting was a 12 hour block in a 2 nd year, lecture‐based medical pharmacology course. 120 students were divided in 15 groups in a large auditorium. 6 hours of the module was mandatory, when individual (iRAT) and group readiness assessment tests (gRAT) were administered. Simulation cases addressed clinical pharmacology of cholinergic and adrenergic agents used in emergency care. At the cases' decision points multiple choice questions were presented to the groups to discuss. The groups voted and they were challenged to explain their choices. Student satisfaction was assessed at midpoint of the module and 4 weeks after the summative exam that included other topics. The students' average results on gRATs (93.87±4.21) were significantly higher than on iRATs (68±13.58). Summative exam performance on ANS questions (84.0±17.4 n=43) was similar to those in other topics (89.3±9.7 n=43), p=0.09. On the mid‐point opinion surveys 65% of the students agreed that simulation/MTBL promoted their learning, but only 33% indicated that they would participate in further modules. Conclusion After further refinement, our MTBL method may be an alternative to facilitate learning of clinically relevant ANS pharmacology.