Teaching pathology without lectures through computer-based exercises, small-group discussions and reading

The Department of Pathology at Robert Wood Johnson Medical School teaches a 205-hour, one semester course to 150 second-year students in the fall semester of the second year. The course begins with General Pathology (4 weeks) and continues with Systemic Pathology (12 weeks). In 1986, lectures were eliminated as a means of conveying the course content. Students were expected to read the textbook and to participate in obligatory small group discussions. Extensive computer based self-learning materials were provided in both MS/DOS and Macintosh formats. In 1991, these computer resources included the full text of Robbins Pathologic Basis of Disease, extensive question banks and a guide through the Slice of Life Videodisc. Over the past 6 years this modified curriculum has been enthusiastically received by the students and faculty. Student performance on internal and external examinations has been excellent. Approximately 4% of the graduating students select pathology for their post-graduate training.