摘要：Background: By mimicking situations relevant to future work conditions, the multiple case method aims to trigger student interest in a subject and to induce familiarity with subject knowledge. Objectives: Our main aim was to assess the suitability of the multiple case method when applied at the clinical stage of medical education. Moreover, we wished to define the maximum group size with which students felt comfortable. Methods: Between 2001 and 2007, during 24 runs of a course in dermatology and infectious diseases, student assessments of the multiple case method were rated. Between 1993 and 2007, 1323 student evaluations were scrutinized for comments on group size. Results: On a 1-5 scale (1= value poor, 5= value high), student ratings of the multiple case method remained consistent at 4.4 to 4.7. When the number of participants in the discussion groups was 18 - 25, no comments on group size occurred. When size increased to 26 - 33 participants, 4/605 (0.7%) commented spontaneously that they would prefer discussing in a smaller group. At a size of 34 – 37, 20/396 (5.1%) expressed such a concern.
