Improving outcomes in Medical Education: A Study of Clinical Cardiovascular Module Performance at Al-Baha Faculty of Medicine

TL;DR

This study examines how changes in teaching and curriculum improved medical students' performance in a cardiovascular module at Al-Baha University.

Contribution

The study identifies active learning and student support as key factors in improving clinical cardiovascular module performance.

Findings

Student performance in the Clinical Cardiovascular Module improved significantly from 2021 to 2024.

Active learning strategies and curriculum reforms were found to be major contributors to the improvement.

Statistical analysis confirmed a significant rise in scores across multiple years.

Abstract

To evaluate the factors that contributed to the improvement in Clinical Cardiovascular Module (CCVM) performance at Al-Baha Faculty of Medicine Al Baha University, Saudi Arabia. focusing on Progress Test (PT) results.

A retrospective observational study was conducted at Al- Baha Faculty of Medicine, Al Baha University, Saudi Arabia. Two methods were used, combining quantitative data analysis of PT results for CCVM component, with metrics such as average scores and year-wise performance which analyzed across two periods the initial Period 2018 to 2020 where performance was stagnant or declining and the Improvement Period 2021 to 2024 where performance was improving with qualitative data from faculty members and students through faculty interviews and student surveys to explore changes in teaching methods, curriculum reforms and student support systems.

From 2021 to 2024 shows a significant improvement specially in Year three in which the College Average increased from 22.51% in 2018 to 45.25% in 2022 and Year five the Overall Average also rose from 34.13% in 2018 to 47.46% in 2022. This progress in achievement was confirmed by Statistical analyses using Repeated Measures ANOVA that shows p < 0.001, Independent Samples t-test p = 0.002. Qualitative findings highlighted the impact of active learning strategies, integration and enhanced student support systems as the main drivers of improvement.

curriculum reforms and innovative teaching methods as an intervention, improved student performance in CCVM. These findings are valuable for policymakers and medical educators to improve medical students’ outcomes and prepare them for better clinical practice.