Assessing and optimizing Team-Based Learning in undergraduate cosmetic dermatology education: an empirical study using interpretable machine learning.

backgroundThe research aimed to explore the application effectiveness, advantages, and disadvantages of Team-Based Learning (TBL) in undergraduate cosmetic dermatology education and to analyze directions for pedagogical improvement using interpretable machine learning (IML).

methodsA total of 154 undergraduate clinical medicine students from Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University were included as study subjects. Using the cosmetic dermatology chapter (two teaching units) from the Dermatology and Venereology course, a comparative design was implemented between traditional Lecture-Based Learning (LBL) and interest-oriented TBL. Teaching feedback was collected through questionnaires, and IML and correlation analysis were applied to identify key nodes for pedagogical optimization.

resultsSurveys showed that 83.8% of students reported increased learning interest, 84.4% were willing to engage in post-class self-directed learning, 81.2% were satisfied with the course, and 86.4% desired more TBL courses. Recognition of teaching components revealed that 87.0% preferred the presentation part, 89.0% endorsed the teamwork part, 80.5% agreed with the questioning part, and 95.5% valued the discussion part. Compared to LBL, TBL significantly improved self-directed learning capability (P < 0.001) and knowledge mastery capability (P = 0.004), but showed weaker improvement in independent thinking capability (P = 0.028). IML revealed that the most important feature determining the enthusiasm for cosmetic dermatology and TBL was the enhancement of independent thinking capability. Course satisfaction was primarily influenced by improved self-directed learning capability. Correlation analysis indicated that the recognition of most teaching components positively correlated with learning interest in cosmetic dermatology and satisfaction with TBL, except that students with higher recognition of the Teamwork Part (r = -0.432) and Questioning Part (r = -0.900) paradoxically exhibited resistance to the implementation of additional TBL courses.

conclusionTBL effectively enhances students' learning interest and comprehensive competencies in cosmetic dermatology education, demonstrating strong potential for broader application. However, significant opportunities for refinement persist in instructional design.