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Medical Histopathology Laboratories: Remote Teaching in Response to COVID-19 Pandemic
Ramaswamy Sharma1, Thomas S King1, Elizabeth R Hanson2
1Department of Cell Systems and Anatomy, Joe R. and Teresa Lozano Long School of Medicine, University of Texas Health San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, USA.
Academic Pathology
|March 25, 2021
Summary
The COVID-19 pandemic shifted medical histopathology teaching online. While virtual learning offered flexibility, the modified Team Laboratory Quiz format led to decreased student scores and collaborative learning, necessitating new pedagogical approaches.
Area of Science:
- Medical Education
- Histopathology
- Online Learning
Background:
- The COVID-19 pandemic necessitated rapid transition of medical school curricula to virtual instruction.
- Traditional in-person histopathology labs involved pre-session quizzes, in-session team exercises with faculty guidance, and post-session team quizzes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the impact of adapting an in-person histopathology laboratory curriculum to a fully online format during the COVID-19 pandemic.
- To assess student and faculty experiences and learning outcomes in the virtual environment.
Main Methods:
- Histopathology laboratory sessions were moved online using Microsoft Teams.
- Team Application Exercises were released earlier, and Team Laboratory Quizzes were administered individually to ensure integrity.
- A hybrid scoring system was implemented, using the higher score between individual and team performance to incentivize collaboration.
Main Results:
- A significant decline in student scores was observed on the modified Team Laboratory Quiz compared to the pre-pandemic format.
- Student performance on other weekly quizzes and examinations remained unaffected.
- Students appreciated early access to materials and faculty but reported decreased peer-teaching and increased anxiety due to the modified quiz format.
Conclusions:
- Online histopathology instruction requires novel pedagogical strategies to balance collaborative learning with individual assessment.
- Faculty noted a loss of personal interaction, highlighting the need to maintain student-faculty engagement in virtual settings.
- Adapting to diverse learning styles while preserving the benefits of teamwork is crucial for effective online medical education.
