Evaluation of different methods for teaching blood film reporting

Abstract EN

Objective : This work aimed at finding the most efficient method to be used in training students on the screening and interpretation of peripheral blood smears.

Methods : Ninety-four students of Medical Technology from different private and state universities at their final academic years, were enrolled in this study.

They were trained in the Hematology department at King Hussein Medical Center.

These students were divided into five different groups from the five different universities, according to the different training methods, throughout a period of two and a half years, starting from the academic year 1994 / 1995 towards the year 1996 / 1997.

All groups had to sit for a pre-test at the beginning of the training, and a post-test upon completion of their training period.

Group A consisted of 20 students and were trained by reference teaching slides.

Group B that consisted of 22 students were trained by a problem-based method.

Group C that consisted of 19 students were trained by setting the student alongside the supervisor.

Group D of 17 students were trained by using projection slides, as well as reference teaching slides.

Group E consisted of 16 students and were trained applying a combination of all methods.

Results: Group A showed significant improvement based on their performance in the pre and post-test, from a mean of 52.8% to 73.1% with a significant t-value of 4.79 at the level of 1%.

Group B showed an improvement from 48.2 % to 73.6% with a t-value of 7.2.

Groups C, D and E showed improvement from 44.6% to 75.5 %, 34.5% to 61.9 % and35.3 % to 78.8 %, respectively, with t-values of 9.1, 7.3 and 12.4, respectively.

Conclusion : Different teaching methods and aids were found to have a significant role in teaching blood film reporting, and the best results were obtained when a combination of those methods was applied.