A workflow-based, digitally gamified teaching model for pathology education: a pilot study

Pathology is a core component of undergraduate medical education, yet students often experience difficulty integrating preclinical knowledge into clinical practice. This challenge is particularly evident during the transition to clinical training, where understanding diagnostic workflows becomes essential. This study describes the development and implementation of a workflow-based, digitally gamified teaching model designed to support the integration of pathology knowledge and the development of diagnostic reasoning during the transition to clinical training.

A ten-session teaching series was implemented for fourth-year medical students within a multidisciplinary clinical clerkship. The sessions were structured around the complete diagnostic pathway, from biopsy acquisition to pathology report interpretation. Digital and gamified learning activities were integrated throughout the series to support engagement and specific cognitive processes. Student perceptions were evaluated via a voluntary, anonymous postintervention survey, which included Likert-scale items and open-ended responses.

Sixteen students completed the survey (response rate 80%). The students reported high levels of engagement and positive learning experiences. All the respondents indicated an improved understanding of diagnostic workflows and pathology report interpretation. Gamified activities were perceived as helpful for maintaining engagement and supporting recall, particularly in relation to terminology and pattern recognition. Qualitative feedback highlighted high levels of engagement, memorability, and perceived educational value associated with the teaching approach.

A workflow-based, digitally gamified teaching approach may provide a practical framework for integrating pathology knowledge and supporting diagnostic understanding during the transition to clinical training. The findings suggest that aligning teaching with authentic diagnostic workflows, combined with well-integrated interactive strategies, represents a potentially transferable approach for enhancing student engagement and supporting learning in this context.