Use of interactive videodisc for teaching of pathology laboratory cases

Images from a generic videodisc called the 'Slice of Life' were utilized to develop computer-assisted interactive videodisc instruction (IVI) units for supplemental independent review of the laboratory cases studied in the general pathology course for year 1 medical students. Four units based on laboratory cases (two on 'inflammation' and two on 'neoplasia') were developed for a dual-screen Macintosh system. With this dual-screen system, specific picture frames from the videodisc could be retrieved on one screen while the other screen displayed the corresponding text. Each unit contained a number of case studies, each of which consisted of a clinical profile, gross picture and description of the tissue removed, sequential photomicrographs at successively higher magnifications from various fields of slides and their descriptions, comparison with the normal histology of the organ involved, interpretation of the observations and comments, final diagnosis, and a quiz at the end. Histopathological features were specifically emphasized. Evaluation of the units obtained from three consecutive classes of students indicated that these units were received as valuable supplemental tools for independent review of the laboratory cases.