Innovating undergraduate pathology education through public engagement

Area of Science:

• Medical Education
• Pathology
• Public Engagement

Background:

• Modern medical education emphasizes patient-centered, problem-based learning, potentially diluting core pathology principles.
• This shift may reduce student understanding and interest in pathology.
• Innovation in pathology education is needed to re-engage students.

Purpose of the Study:

• To innovate pathology education through a public engagement model.
• To empower undergraduate students to teach pathology to the public.
• To foster interest in pathology at undergraduate and postgraduate levels.

Main Methods:

• Utilized National Pathology Week for a public engagement initiative at Exeter Medical School.
• Involved 125 undergraduate health-related student volunteers.
• Developed a curriculum on topics like cancer screening and antibiotic resistance, engaging over 500 public members and 150 school students.

Main Results:

• Student volunteers gained skills in microscopy, communication with lay audiences, and understanding pathology's clinical applications.
• Successfully educated both students and the public on key pathology topics.
• Facilitated interaction between students, public, and 15 pathology professionals.

Conclusions:

• A public engagement model where undergraduate students teach pathology can increase interest in the subject.
• This approach benefits the wider community by disseminating pathology knowledge.
• The initiative demonstrated the potential of experiential learning in medical education.