Antibiotic and Art: an Innovative Approach in Medical Education

Abstract: Introduction: To stimulate the practice of critical thinking and creativity and considering the complexity associated with antibiotic learning, the Antimicrobial Artistic Sensitivity Test (TSaA) was created, which is an innovative activity in antimicrobial teaching that evaluates knowledge and clinical reasoning through artistic presentations. Since the second semester of 2014 (2014.2), TSaA has proven to be an integrative practice in antimicrobial teaching for fifth-semester medical students of the University of Fortaleza/CE (UNIFOR). The objectives of this study were to analyze TSaA as a methodology of antimicrobial teaching / learning and students’ satisfaction with this practice. Methods: Fifth-semester medical students were divided into eight groups, each one with twelve participants. Students were challenged to show their knowledge of one class of antimicrobial drug using art as the communication tool. Each group was assigned to work with a specific class of antibiotic, which was previously randomly selected. Two teachers simultaneously evaluated the presentation, using a specific form to carry out this evaluation. In the end of the activity, students were invited to answer a questionnaire, with objective and subjective questions, addressing their perceptions of the activity, the benefits on antibiotic learning and identified difficulties. Results: A total of 92 students participated in the study. The methodology used to carry out the TSaA activity was considered adequate by 82% of the participants. Staging performance and music were the most frequently chosen forms of presentation. The majority of the participants indicated TSaA as a valuable strategy to facilitate antimicrobial learning. The association between antibiotic study and art was considered an amusing way of content learning. According to students’ perception, this practice also stimulated teamwork. In the students’ opinion, there was indeed a greater content learning with this activity. Conclusion: The Antimicrobial Artistic Sensitivity Test facilitated antimicrobial learning, stimulating the creativity and critical/logical thinking of fifth-semester medical students.摘要：引言：鉴于抗生素学习的复杂性，为推动批判性思维与创造力的实践培养，研究人员开发了抗菌艺术敏感性测试（Antimicrobial Artistic Sensitivity Test，TSaA）——这是抗菌药物教学领域的一项创新活动，通过艺术展演形式考核学生的知识掌握水平与临床推理能力。自2014年第二学期（2014.2）起，该活动已作为福塔莱萨大学（CE，UNIFOR）五年级医学生抗菌药物教学的整合式实践项目投入使用。本研究旨在分析TSaA作为抗菌药物教与学方法的应用效果，以及学生对该活动的满意度。方法：将五年级医学生划分为8组，每组12名参与者。要求学生以艺术作为传播媒介，展示其对某一类抗菌药物的认知。各组预先通过随机抽签确定负责展示的抗生素类别。两名教师同时使用专用评分表对展演进行评分。活动结束后，邀请学生填写包含客观题与主观题的问卷，调研其对本次活动的看法、抗生素学习的获益及遇到的困难。结果：本次研究共纳入92名学生。82%的参与者认为TSaA活动的实施方法较为完善合理。舞台表演与音乐是最常被选用的展演形式。多数参与者认为TSaA是促进抗菌药物学习的有效策略。将抗生素学习与艺术结合被认为是一种趣味化的内容学习方式。学生们还表示，该活动有效锻炼了团队协作能力；同时他们认为，通过本次活动实现了更高效的知识点掌握。结论：抗菌艺术敏感性测试（TSaA）可有效促进抗菌药物学习，激发五年级医学生的创造力与批判性/逻辑思维能力。