Abstract:

Physiology and Pathophysiology II (9 ECTS) is taught in the fourth semester - second year - of the Pharmacy degree at the University of Barcelona. This subject deals with human anatomy, physiology and pathophysiology of different systems, including the blood and hemostasis, immune, integumentary, cardiovascular and digestive systems. The modular organization helps students become familiar with the structure and functions of each system. However, this segmentation tends to isolate knowledge and obscures understanding of the interactions between systems. To assimilate this compartmentalized knowledge and to promote autonomous and collaborative learning, activities focused on a clinical case study are proposed in the teaching of this subject. In the academic year 2022-2023, these activities have been carried out specifically to analyze the systemic effects of physical activity.

To complete the clinical case activities, students had to work in small groups (2 or 3 students per group) to study the effects of physical activity on the systems studied in the subject, promoting a full integration of physiological processes. In addition, these activities included the creation of a video in which students had to advise an imaginary classmate who was less physically active about the importance of exercise, highlighting the health benefits on the cardiovascular, blood and digestive systems learned through the resolution of the clinical case. At the end of the semester, knowledge was assessed through a written test on the day of the final evaluation. The evaluable activities of the clinical case contributed 15% to the final grade of the subject.

A voluntary survey was conducted at the end of the activity, and it was observed that 73.7% of the students indicated that the group work helped them to solve the clinical case. In addition, 67.5% of the students stated that the clinical case improved the consolidation of specific knowledge of the systems involved. An interesting personal aspect was that the realization of the activity gave the students reasons to encourage the practice of physical activity, since some of them increased their practice.

In summary, the proposed activities for the 2022-23 academic year focused on physical activity not only promoted deep integration of learning content, but also emphasized the importance of regular physical activity in maintaining good health and preventing disease. Positive student feedback underscores the effectiveness of collaborative and applied active learning methods in higher education, especially in health-related disciplines.

Keywords:

Active learning, (clinical) case study, continuous assessment.