Construction and Implementation of a Competency Based Neurosurgical Case Repository Integrated with the PBL Teaching Model

Abstract

Medical students in institutional education must undergo clinical practice to develop into physicians with competency-based capabilities. Neurosurgical diseases are characterized by high diagnostic and therapeutic complexity, rapid clinical progression, and substantial procedural risks, thereby requiring strong competencies in clinical decision-making and team collaboration. However, neurosurgery is often not included in undergraduate clinical internship rotations, and the rotation period during standardized residency training is typically short, resulting in limited opportunities for clinical practice. The construction and implementation of a competency-based neurosurgical case repository can effectively compensate for these deficiencies in clinical exposure. When integrated with the PBL teaching model, the case repository enables learners to engage with authentic clinical scenarios, promoting active, problem-driven inquiry and learning. This approach facilitates the systematic acquisition of knowledge related to the diagnosis and management of common and frequently encountered neurosurgical conditions, enhances communication and teamwork skills, and fosters the development of lifelong learning competencies. In addition, it contributes to improving instructors’ teaching capabilities and their ability to employ modern educational technologies in instructional practice.