Comparing the Efficacy of Virtual and Conventional Methods in Teaching Practical Pathology to Medical Students

Old educational methods are gradually replaced by multimedia since 1990s (1). Today, most educational systems employ advanced technology to meet the demands of students and academic faculties. Several studies show that a combination of traditional and electronic teaching methods can improve learning outcomes (2). The inclination to apply electronic learning tools in medical schools is also increasing (3).

The pathology course is one of the most significant subjects taught at medical universities (2). It is extremely important for medical students to learn pathology concepts to conduct assessments, make diagnoses, and provide therapy (4). Besides theoretical education, medical students should pass practical courses at laboratories. Different devices and facilities such as microscopes and microscopic slides, lecturers, and schedules are required to work at laboratories (1,2). Recently, modern information technologies, as an integral part of medical technology, are implemented by health professionals in a bid to provide faster, more reliable, and comprehensive data collection methods (5,6). Medical electronic learning uses information technology for educational activities. Electronic learning introduces a powerful teaching device for deeper and more efficient learning as well as distance learning (7). Other studies conducted on this subject highlighted the improvement of learning, the expansion of knowledge, and growing interest in students due to the use of computer-assisted educational objects at pathology laboratories (4).

The current cross sectional, descriptive study was conducted by the Pathology Department of Tehran University of Medical Sciences (Tehran, Iran) in the first semester of 2016. The topic and the slides taught for practical pathology were selected based on the curriculum of medical sciences by the Education Council of the Department and approved. High-quality digital images of the slides and the envisaged curriculum were presented in the form of an e-file (a total of 250 slides were provided). After necessary coordination, the digital images and curricula were posted to the learning management system (LMS) of the Virtual Department.

In the first session, the reason, statement of problem, and objectives were explained to the students. Then, the medical students were asked to register for participation in conventional or virtual groups. The first group underwent a traditional education (theoretical courses followed by practical microscopy laboratory presented by a professor) and the other group was exposed to distance learning (after signing informed consent). The members of virtual group were given the website address of the virtual school after a briefing. The students were required to click into the website where the materials were uploaded to download files one by one. Two sessions were also held in the middle and end of the semester to answer questions raised by the students.

At the end of the semester, both groups were evaluated according to a predefined plan; all students took the exam and were led in 20-member groups to microscope halls. Each student was asked to describe four or five slides and answer three theoretical questions. Finally, the results of the evaluation of both groups were compared and analyzed. Furthermore, their polling papers were examined.

Statistical analysis was conducted using SPSS version 18. Mean ± standard deviation (SD) was employed to analyze quantitative variables. Independent t test was applied to compare variables and outcomes of the two groups. The significance level was 0.05.

Participants signed the consents and were assured of the confidentiality of personal information. No extra cost was levied on subjects and they were entitled to quit whenever they wished. Ethics approval for the study protocol was obtained from the Institutional Review Board of Tehran University of Medical Sciences in compliance with the Helsinki declaration.

The current study enrolled 126 third-year undergraduate medical students from Tehran University of Medical Sciences. Of the participants, 109 students (52 male and 57 female) attended conventional training course and sixteen (14 male and 2 female) volunteer students agreed to work in virtual groups. The mean score of final exam for all students in practical pathology course was 16.11 (maximum score: 20, minimum score: 3). The mean score in the conventional and virtual groups was 16.20±3.25 and 16.59±3.60, respectively. Independent t test showed that the mean final pathology exam grade in the experimental group was higher than that of their counterparts in the control group; however, the difference between the two groups was not statistically significant (P =0.658).

The results of the current study showed that at our academic center, virtual education was as effective as conventional method in teaching and academic guidance. Other studies also showed that implementing electronic learning in their teaching centers or its combination with traditional teaching methods was also useful (8,9,10). In line with the current study findings, Hosseini et al., showed that the average scores of dentistry students using the software (CDROM) as an educational package in practical pathology were higher than those of the traditional group; however, the difference between groups was not statistically significant (16.23 ± 3.36 vs. 15.22 ± 3.52, P=0.19) (1). On the other hand, consistent with the current study results, Ariana et al., showed that the mean final pathology exam grade in the experimental group with electronic self-directed learning material was significantly higher than that of their counterparts in the control group with traditional learning method (96.13%±5.73% vs. 85.43%±10.23%; P ≤0.05) (2).

Moazami et al., also demonstrated a higher mean knowledge score and more effective learning in virtual learning method than in traditional and lecturebased training method (11).

Several studies highlighted the effectiveness and values of virtual teaching system; Sinn et al., confirmed that implementing virtual microscopy in pathology teaching facilitates and the students’ access to histology slides beyond the lab made it an ideal tool for teaching and postgraduate training in pathology (12). Ruiz et al., (3) also believed that electronic learning technology can provide some valuable opportunities for medical students. Al-Neklawy et al., believed that the traditional didactic lecture cannot provide adequate time for deeper learning activities. The current study did not evaluate the students’ satisfaction, but the students indicated the satisfaction of most students by implementing virtual learning methods in embryology course (with regard to the efficacy of the instructional methods and the degree of clarity of the course material) (13). Lichnovská et al., pointed to a better resolution and image quality of virtual histology slides, which would dispense with the need to keep and store hundreds of slides, prevent loss or breakage of slides, and provide a user-friendly and more efficient educational tool for the students (14). Furthermore, average and below-average students

can use the electronic material several times until they reach complete understanding and satisfaction (15). Peroz et al., showed some other findings; although conventional method had more educational and enjoyment values, more students preferred to participate in computer assisted learning classes. Moreover, the authors indicated a better knowledge in the short term among students in the class, but in the long term no difference was observed in the knowledge retention of computer assisted learning and the lecture groups (16).

Several investigations indicated some advantages of electronic learning in higher education; in other words, some disadvantages were also reported. Only few students and faculty members had insufficient experience or were afraid of web-based learning and technology (17). In addition, no face-to-face interaction, communication, and collaboration occurred between the students and the staff. The students’ perception of the educational environment is not improved by virtual learning method (15). Finally in such learning methods, clinical and practical skills, some abilities related to asking questions, problem solving, providing orientation, getting feedback, and encouraging reflections are not practiced.

Based on recent policies of Tehran University of Medical Sciences, incorporation of electronic learning into all educational curriculums by at least 15% of educational topics is strongly suggested. The learning management system (LMS) of the Virtual Department of Tehran University of Medical Sciences also provides a comprehensive and powerful system to manage

• the possibility for faculty members, residents, and PhD students and everyone else throughout the country to have access to the system

• the possibility to present fully virtual programs (interaction with audience through education) while individual learning routes are forecasted

• the possibility to stage low-residency or virtual workshops and short-term courses under supervision of workshop teachers

• the possibility to upload and prepare programs and workshops by teachers about the topic, objectives, introduction, audience, scientific content, assignments, tests, and discussion rooms

• the possibility to copy and edit previous programs and workshops for new presentations

• the possibility to draw up study report for the audience, including half-finished programs and workshops, completed ones, and the issued certificates

In accordance with these policies, strategies, accessibility and support, faculty members of our department assume that in the pathology course, the use of highquality virtual slides in microscopic examination provides an efficient, new, comfortable, meaningful, and interesting field. Students benefit from virtual class regardless of the availability of lab physical atmosphere and limited facilities, the number of students and faculties as well as time and date.

In conclusion, the current study indicated that to teach practical pathology, virtual education may be as effective as conventional methods; however, further studies are needed to confirm the obtained results.

Conflicts of interest

The authors declared no conflict of interest.