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Updated: Aug 7, 2025
Evaluation of a Point-of-Care Testing Analyzer for Measuring Peripheral Blood Leukocytes
Published on: March 22, 2022
An interactive e-learning module on peripheral blood smear analysis is an effective option for teaching pathology
Margaret E Moore1, Elizabeth L Courville1, Sonam Prakash2
1Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Virginia Health System, Charlottesville, VA, US.
Objectives:
This study compares the effectiveness of an interactive e-learning module with a traditional text-based method for teaching peripheral blood smear analysis.
Methods:
Pathology trainees at Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education residency programs were asked to participate. Participants completed a multiple-choice test on peripheral blood smear findings. Trainees were randomized into completing an e-learning module or a PDF reading exercise with the same educational content. Respondents rated their experience and completed a postintervention test composed of the same questions.
Results:
In total, 28 participants completed the study; 21 improved their score in the posttest (mean, 21.6 correct answers) compared with the pretest (19.8; P < .001). This improvement was seen in both the PDF (n = 19) and interactive (n = 9) groups, with no difference in performance between the 2 groups. Trainees with less clinical hematopathology experience showed a trend of having the largest performance improvement. Most participants completed the exercise within 1 hour, rated the exercise as easy to navigate, were engaged, and reported learning new information about peripheral blood smear analysis. All participants indicated that they would likely complete a similar exercise in the future.
Conclusions:
This study suggests that e-learning is an effective tool for hematopathology education and equivalent to traditional narrative-based methods. This module could easily be incorporated into a curriculum.
