Complete Androgen Insensitivity Syndrome: A Problem-Based Learning Case

INTRODUCTION: To address the lack of medical education on lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer (LGBTQ), and difference in sex development–affected (DSD-affected) individuals, the University of Louisville initiated the eQuality project. The mission of eQuality is to promote mastery of the skills, knowledge, and attitudes required for excellent care for patients within the LGBTQ, gender-nonconforming, and DSD community. This problem-based learning (PBL) case was implemented to address both medical and psychosocial factors that affect individuals born with DSD and their families. METHODS: Students complete a 10-question multiple-choice pretest prior to distribution of the PBL case and a 10-question multiple-choice posttest after completion of the PBL. They also evaluate the efficacy of the case by answering three open-ended questions regarding comprehension, competence, and attitudes, as well as any barriers to acquisition and implementation of knowledge. Along with a specific lecture and patient panel, this piece helps to incorporate more information specifically on DSD into the curriculum. RESULTS: The posttest average score was 20% higher than the pretest. The posttest (n = 144) had a range of 90% to 99% of students answering each question correctly, whereas the range for the pretest (n = 155) was from 29% to 94%. DISCUSSION: Based on the objective assessment and student comments, learning increased through this PBL process. Despite this clear increase in knowledge, some students believed that either societal barriers or personal barriers would prevent them from implementing their newly gained knowledge in practice.