Refuting misconceptions in medical physiology

BMC Medical Education, vol. 20, pp. 250

Abstract

BACKGROUND: In medical physiology, educators and students face a serious challenge termed misconceptions. Misconceptions are incorrect ideas that do not match current scientific views. Accordingly, they have shown to hamper teaching and learning of physiological concepts. Conceptual Change Theory forms the basis of new teaching and learning practices that may alleviate misconceptions and facilitate critical thinking skills that are essential in becoming knowledgeable, self-regulated health professionals. In this study, we examined if such an intervention named refutation texts, could enhance medical students' cognition and metacognition. METHODS: First-year medical students (N = 161) performed a pre-test and post-test on cardiovascular physiology concepts, including a self-perceived confidence rating. In between, students read either a standard text with an explanation of the correct answer, or a refutation text which additionally refuted related misconceptions. RESULTS: In both groups, average performance scores (refutation: + 22.5%, standard: + 22.8%) and overall confidence ratings (refutation: Δ0.42 out of 5, standard: Δ0.35 out of 5) increased significantly (all p < .001), but a significant effect of the specific refutation element was not found. Initially incorrect answers were corrected less frequently in cases of high confidence (35.8%) than low confidence (61.4%). CONCLUSIONS: Our results showed that refutation texts significantly increased students' knowledge, however, the refutation element did not have a significant additional effect. Furthermore, high confidence in incorrect answers negatively affected the likelihood of correction. These findings provide implications for teaching practices on concept learning, by showing that educators should take into account the key role of metacognition, and the nature of misconceptions.

Authors 4

1. Marjolein Versteeg Aachen Center for Innovation in Medical Education Department of Cardiology, Leiden University Medical Center

   Leiden University Medical Center

   Affiliation as printed

   Center for Innovation in Medical Education, Leiden University Medical Center, Albinusdreef 2, 2333 ZA, Leiden, The Netherlands. m.versteeg@lumc.nl

   Department of Cardiology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands. m.versteeg@lumc.nl

   Center for Innovation in Medical Education, Leiden University Medical Center, Albinusdreef 2, 2333 ZA, Leiden, The Netherlands

2. Mariëtte H. van Loon

   University of Bern

   Affiliation as printed

   Department of Developmental Psychology and Swiss Graduate School for Cognition, Learning and Memory, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland

3. Marjo Wijnen‐Meijer

   Technical University of Munich

   Affiliation as printed

   Technical University of Munich, TUM School of Medicine, TUM Medical Education Center, Munich, Germany

4. Paul Steendijk Aachen Center for Innovation in Medical Education Department of Cardiology, Leiden University Medical Center

   Leiden University Medical Center

   Affiliation as printed

   Center for Innovation in Medical Education, Leiden University Medical Center, Albinusdreef 2, 2333 ZA, Leiden, The Netherlands

   Department of Cardiology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands