Using Team-Based Learning to Teach Human Subjects Research Ethics

Medical Science Educator volume 30, pages617–620(2020)Cite this article

Abstract

Background

For health sciences students, understanding human subjects research ethics is essential for providing equitable healthcare. Active learning approaches were needed to engage students with the content and support transfer of knowledge to clinical practice.

Activity

A team-based learning (TBL) module was developed and implemented in an evidence-based practice undergraduate nursing course across 3 semesters with 169 students to promote understanding and application of research ethics principles.

Results and Discussion

Thematic analysis of student reflections showed five themes: change in attitude, learning/understanding, application of ethical principles, specific terminology, and specific examples. Faculty facilitators reported increased engagement, understanding, and application.

This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution.

Access options

Buy single article

Instant access to the full article PDF.

US$ 39.95

Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

References

  1. 1.

    Michaelsen LK. Team learning in large classes. New Dir for Teach & Learn. 1983;14:13–22.

  2. 2.

    Michaelsen LK, Black RH. Building learning teams: the key to harnessing the power of small groups in higher education. Collab Lear.: A Sourceb for High Educ. 1994;2:65–81.

  3. 3.

    Michaelsen LK, Knight AB, Fink LD. Team-based learning: a transformative use of small groups. Sterling: Stylus; 2004.

    Google Scholar 

  4. 4.

    Michaelsen LK, Sweet M. The essential elements of team-based learning. New Dir for Teach & Learn. 2008;116:7–27.

  5. 5.

    Chung EK, Rhee JA, Baik YH. The effect of team-based learning in medical ethics education. Med Teach. 2009;31:1013–7.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  6. 6.

    Miyasaka M, Sakai S, Yamanouchi H. How should ethics be taught to medical, nursing and other healthcare students. Eubios J of Asian & Int Bioeth. 2011;21:91–5.

    Google Scholar 

  7. 7.

    Polit DF, Beck CT. Essent. of Nurs. Res.:Apprais. Evid. for Nurs. Pract. 9th ed. Philadelphia: Wolters Kluwer; 2018.

    Google Scholar 

  8. 8.

    National Commission for the Protection of Human Subjects of Biomedical and Behavioral Research. The Belmont Report: ethical principles and guidelines for the protection of human subjects of research. Bethesda: The Commission; 1978.

    Google Scholar 

  9. 9.

    Tuskegee University. About the USPHS Syphilis Study. 2019. https://www.tuskegee.edu/about-us/centers-of-excellence/bioethics-center/about-the-usphs-syphilis-study. Accessed 8 May 2019.

  10. 10.

    Krugman S. The Willowbrook hepatitis studies revisited: ethical aspects. Rev Infect Dis. 1986;8:157–62.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  11. 11.

    Skloot R. The immortal life of Henrietta Lacks. New York: Broadway Books; 2010.

    Google Scholar 

  12. 12.

    Khan FA. The immortal life of Henrietta Lacks. J of Islam Med Assoc N. Am. 2011;43:93.

  13. 13.

    Langer E. Human experimentation: cancer studies at Sloan-Kettering stir public debate on medical ethics. Science. 1964;143:551–3.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  14. 14.

    Nicholson I. “Torture at Yale”: Experimental subjects, laboratory torment and the “rehabilitation” of Milgram’s “Obedience to Authority”. Theory Psychol. 2011;21:737–61.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  15. 15.

    Haney C, Zimbardo P. The past and future of U.S. prison policy: twenty-five years after the Stanford Prison Experiment. Am Psychol. 1998;53:709–27.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  16. 16.

    Wilson RF. The death of Jesse Gelsinger: new evidence of the influence of money and prestige in human research. Am J Law Med. 2010;36:295–325.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  17. 17.

    Rich WD, Auten KJ, Gantz MG, et al. Antenatal consent in the SUPPORT trial: challenges, costs, and representative enrollment. Pediatrics. 2010;126:e215–21.

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Affiliations

  1. University of South Alabama, 5721 USA Dr. N, HAHN 4064, Mobile, AL, 36693, USA

    Chrystal L. Lewis & Julie M. Estis

Authors
  1. Chrystal L. Lewis
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Julie M. Estis
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Chrystal L. Lewis.

Ethics declarations

Conflict of Interest

The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

Ethical Approval

The study was approved by the IRB as exempt.

Informed Consent

N/A

Additional information

Publisher’s Note

Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and Permissions

About this article

Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Lewis, C.L., Estis, J.M. Using Team-Based Learning to Teach Human Subjects Research Ethics. Med.Sci.Educ. 30, 617–620 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40670-019-00846-7

Download citation

Keywords

  • Ethics
  • research
  • Team-based learning
  • Nursing education
  • Medical education