Team-Based Learning in Medical Universities: Infrastructure and Requirements

Context: This review study, performed in 2014, sought to determine the requirements for the introduction of team-based learning (TBL) in medical universities. Evidence Acquisition: In this review study, relevant literature was found by searching PubMed, MEDLINE, Google Scholar, ScienceDirect, and ProQuest using the keywords of team based learning, facilitate, barrier, and challenge without any time limitation. First, the literature was selected after a review of the abstracts. Subsequently, according to the relevance to the study questions, 12 articles were included in the analysis. Results: Overall, it is essential that educational administrators fully consider the prerequisites of TBL implementation in 2 areas of pre-implementation infrastructure and execution. This goal can be attained through the establishment of 4 underlying substrates of management, planning, facilities and financial and human resources. Requirements during the implementation of TBL encompass orientation phase, process elements, and human resources skills. Fulfilling these requirements can generate positive attitude and support amongst administrators, faculty members, and students and bolster the chance of the success of plans to move the curriculum of medical universities to a more TBL-oriented approach. Conclusions: Meeting the prerequisites to incorporating TBL in the curriculum of medical universities plays a pivotal role in its success. Accordingly, in the assessment of the curriculum of medical universities, these requirements should be fully identified and fulfilled so as to be able to devise appropriate plans for the success of teaching methods.