Virtual Pathology Education in Medical Schools Worldwide during the COVID-19 Pandemic: Advantages, Challenges Faced, and Perspectives
The COVID-19 pandemic shifted pathology education in medical schools worldwide towards online delivery. To achieve this goal, various innovative platforms were used by pathology educators and medical students, facilitating both synchronous and asynchronous learning. The aim of this study was to revi...
| Main Authors: | , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2022-06-01
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| Series: | Diagnostics |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2075-4418/12/7/1578 |
| _version_ | 1797440030662197248 |
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| author | Angela Ishak Mousa M. AlRawashdeh Maria Meletiou-Mavrotheris Ilias P. Nikas |
| author_facet | Angela Ishak Mousa M. AlRawashdeh Maria Meletiou-Mavrotheris Ilias P. Nikas |
| author_sort | Angela Ishak |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | The COVID-19 pandemic shifted pathology education in medical schools worldwide towards online delivery. To achieve this goal, various innovative platforms were used by pathology educators and medical students, facilitating both synchronous and asynchronous learning. The aim of this study was to review the published evidence regarding remote pathology teaching at the medical school level during this period, present our own experience, and provide some perspectives regarding the best mode of pathology teaching post-pandemic. Among its advantages, virtual pathology education was considered among students and educators as convenient, flexible, and engaging, while learning outcomes were met and students’ academic performance was in general satisfactory. However, several challenges were faced. For instance, suboptimal internet connection compromised the flow of classes and was even associated with a lower academic performance. The lack of hands-on laboratory activities, such as operating the light microscope and tissue grossing, and the reduced student interactions among themselves and their instructors, were also pointed out as significant drawbacks of remote pathology education. Whereas online education has multiple advantages, experiencing the physical university environment, in-person interactions and teamwork, exposure to the “hidden curriculum”, and hands-on activities are vital for medical school education and future student development. In conclusion, the implementation of a blended approach in pathology education—where online and face-to-face sessions are jointly used to promote students’ engagement, interaction with their instructors and peers, and learning—could be the most optimal approach to pathology teaching in medical schools post-pandemic. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-09T12:02:12Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-ec90bbb6fd2b413f8f93ce6c1fd0efdd |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2075-4418 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-09T12:02:12Z |
| publishDate | 2022-06-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Diagnostics |
| spelling | doaj.art-ec90bbb6fd2b413f8f93ce6c1fd0efdd2023-11-30T23:02:53ZengMDPI AGDiagnostics2075-44182022-06-01127157810.3390/diagnostics12071578Virtual Pathology Education in Medical Schools Worldwide during the COVID-19 Pandemic: Advantages, Challenges Faced, and PerspectivesAngela Ishak0Mousa M. AlRawashdeh1Maria Meletiou-Mavrotheris2Ilias P. Nikas3School of Medicine, European University Cyprus, Nicosia 2404, CyprusSchool of Medicine, European University Cyprus, Nicosia 2404, CyprusDepartment of Education Sciences, European University Cyprus, Nicosia 2404, CyprusSchool of Medicine, European University Cyprus, Nicosia 2404, CyprusThe COVID-19 pandemic shifted pathology education in medical schools worldwide towards online delivery. To achieve this goal, various innovative platforms were used by pathology educators and medical students, facilitating both synchronous and asynchronous learning. The aim of this study was to review the published evidence regarding remote pathology teaching at the medical school level during this period, present our own experience, and provide some perspectives regarding the best mode of pathology teaching post-pandemic. Among its advantages, virtual pathology education was considered among students and educators as convenient, flexible, and engaging, while learning outcomes were met and students’ academic performance was in general satisfactory. However, several challenges were faced. For instance, suboptimal internet connection compromised the flow of classes and was even associated with a lower academic performance. The lack of hands-on laboratory activities, such as operating the light microscope and tissue grossing, and the reduced student interactions among themselves and their instructors, were also pointed out as significant drawbacks of remote pathology education. Whereas online education has multiple advantages, experiencing the physical university environment, in-person interactions and teamwork, exposure to the “hidden curriculum”, and hands-on activities are vital for medical school education and future student development. In conclusion, the implementation of a blended approach in pathology education—where online and face-to-face sessions are jointly used to promote students’ engagement, interaction with their instructors and peers, and learning—could be the most optimal approach to pathology teaching in medical schools post-pandemic.https://www.mdpi.com/2075-4418/12/7/1578digital pathologyonline educationlaboratory medicinehistopathologymedical studentsdistance learning |
| spellingShingle | Angela Ishak Mousa M. AlRawashdeh Maria Meletiou-Mavrotheris Ilias P. Nikas Virtual Pathology Education in Medical Schools Worldwide during the COVID-19 Pandemic: Advantages, Challenges Faced, and Perspectives Diagnostics digital pathology online education laboratory medicine histopathology medical students distance learning |
| title | Virtual Pathology Education in Medical Schools Worldwide during the COVID-19 Pandemic: Advantages, Challenges Faced, and Perspectives |
| title_full | Virtual Pathology Education in Medical Schools Worldwide during the COVID-19 Pandemic: Advantages, Challenges Faced, and Perspectives |
| title_fullStr | Virtual Pathology Education in Medical Schools Worldwide during the COVID-19 Pandemic: Advantages, Challenges Faced, and Perspectives |
| title_full_unstemmed | Virtual Pathology Education in Medical Schools Worldwide during the COVID-19 Pandemic: Advantages, Challenges Faced, and Perspectives |
| title_short | Virtual Pathology Education in Medical Schools Worldwide during the COVID-19 Pandemic: Advantages, Challenges Faced, and Perspectives |
| title_sort | virtual pathology education in medical schools worldwide during the covid 19 pandemic advantages challenges faced and perspectives |
| topic | digital pathology online education laboratory medicine histopathology medical students distance learning |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2075-4418/12/7/1578 |
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