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Pushed Across the Digital Divide: COVID-19 Accelerated Pathology Training onto a New Digital Learning Curve.
Lewis A Hassell1, JoElle Peterson1, Liron Pantanowitz2
1Department of Pathology, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, OK, USA.
The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated digital pathology adoption in residency training. While use increased, both educators and trainees perceived a decline in teaching and learning quality and effectiveness.
Area of Science:
- Medical Education
- Digital Pathology
- Pathology Training
Background:
- Digital teaching materials saw slow adoption in residency programs prior to the COVID-19 pandemic.
- The COVID-19 pandemic necessitated a rapid shift to digital modalities in medical education due to social distancing measures.
- The specific impact of this digital shift on pathology trainee education remained largely unstudied.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the pre- and post-COVID-19 usage of digital pathology educational tools.
- To evaluate the perceived impact of digital pathology adoption on teaching and learning quality and effectiveness.
- To understand future trends in digital pathology tool utilization in pathology residency programs.
Main Methods:
- An online survey was distributed to pathology trainees, program directors, and faculty.
- Responses were collected via social media and direct appeals.
- The survey assessed pre- and post-COVID-19 use and perceptions of digital pathology modalities.
Main Results:
- A significant increase in the use of digital pathology education tools was reported by 261 respondents (112 faculty, 52 program directors, 97 trainees).
- A majority of faculty (59-66%) and program directors (62-66%) perceived an adverse effect on teaching quality and effectiveness.
- Trainees reported similar perceptions regarding the impact on learning quality (59%) and effectiveness (64%).
- Most respondents (70-92%) anticipate continued or increased use of digital pathology tools post-COVID-19.
Conclusions:
- The COVID-19 pandemic drove rapid adoption of digital pathology resources for pathology training.
- This rapid adoption was perceived by educators and learners to negatively impact the quality and effectiveness of teaching and learning.
- Given the anticipated continued growth of digital tools, addressing challenges related to quality and effectiveness is crucial for future pathology education.
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