Perception of Family Medicine Residents on the Use of Small Group Discussion in Comparison to Standard Lectures

Background: Effective teaching methods are essential in medical education to ensure that residents acquire the necessary knowledge and skills. Traditional lecture-based learning has been a mainstay in family medicine (FM) residency programs. However, small group discussions have been proposed as a more engaging and effective alternative. Objective: This cross-sectional study aims to compare the perceptions of FM residents regarding the use of small group discussions versus standard lectures during weekly academic day activities. Methods: A structured questionnaire was administered to all FM residents at Prince Sultan Military Medical City (PSMMC), Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The questionnaire assessed perceptions of engagement, knowledge retention, and overall satisfaction with both teaching methods. Descriptive statistics and chi-square tests were used to analyze the data. Qualitative responses were analyzed thematically. Results: Of the 90 residents, 79 completed the questionnaire, resulting in an 87.7% response rate. The majority of participants agreed that small group discussions are a better approach to learning compared to standard lectures. The study's regression analysis further supported the preference for SGD, with significant coefficients indicating a strong relationship between the perceived quality and effectiveness of SGD and residents' preference for this method (β = 0.611, p < 0.001). Qualitative analysis showed the emergence of 5 themes based on the questions on the interviews. Conclusion: FM residents perceive small group discussions as more engaging and effective for knowledge retention compared to standard lectures. These findings suggest that incorporating more small group discussions into the curriculum could enhance the educational experience and learning outcomes for residents.