Evaluation of the effectiveness of using flipped classroom in puncture skills teaching

Background: The effectiveness of flipped classroom (FC) on puncture skills in medical education is still uncertain. The purpose of this study was to assess the role of the FC model in puncture skills and investigate the acceptance and approval of FC among medical students and instructors. Methods A mixed quasi-experimental with randomization was conducted in September 2022 for one month, using an FC teaching method that combined instructional videos and group learning. The study participants were 71 fifth-year medical students from two classes at a Chinese medical school and four instructors. The medical students were randomly divided into two groups: the traditional classroom (TC) group (Group A) and the FC group (Group B). Group B used FC for teaching and Group A used PowerPoint-based TC for teaching. The effectiveness of the two teaching models was assessed with Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE), and questionnaires were distributed to the medical students and instructors after the assessment. Two independent sample t-tests were used to analyse the differences in demographic data and OSCE scores of the two groups of medical students. Results Group B scored higher in puncture skills than Group A, especially regarding abdominal puncture (p = 0.03), thoracentesis (p < 0.001), bone marrow puncture (p < 0.001), and average performance of puncture skills (p  0.409). The medical students thought that the FC improved their self-learning ability and helped them to acquire knowledge. Regarding the OSCE of their skills, most medical students thought that it was more innovative and objective than traditional examinations, and was better for assessing their overall abilities. Both the FC and the OSCE were supported by the medical students. The instructors were also satisfied with the students' performance in the FC and supported the teaching model, agreeing to continue using it. Conclusions This study shows that FC teaching that combines instructional videos and group learning is a reliable and well received teaching method for puncture skills, which supplements and expands existing teaching methods in the medical field.