Digital Microscopy: A New Method for Histology Teaching

Abstract

The use of digital microscopy combined with Internet facilities has increased in the Histology and Pathology teaching. The aim of this study was evaluated the use of digital microscopy on Histology teaching in the Rio de Janeiro State University. For this, tissue and organ slides were digitalized with Pannoramic Midi (3DHistech, Budapeste) and histological structures were identified in the images using Pannoramic viewer (3DHistech). A script was prepared to facilitate the visualization of the image set of each histologic topic by the students. At the end of classes, students’ opinions about digital microscopy were assessed by a voluntary questionnaire, either in paper. In addition, students (n=59) made the histological diagnose test in two forms: image projection and online test. The students’ grades in each test were compared using paired t test. From 2013 to 2015, the digital microscopy was evaluated by 114 dental students, which assigned informed consent term. The majority of students (77 percent) found the digital microscopy easy to use, and 96 percent reported that digital microscopy facilitated the identification of the specific structures. Fifty‐five percent of students said they learned with digital microscopy more than with microscopic based study. In addition, only 30 percent of students reported that they preferred the microscopic lessons. There was no significant difference between students’ grades when compared to practical tests with image (7.8 ± 2.0) and online test (7.6 ± 2.0) (p>0.05). In conclusion, digital microscopy was found to be evaluated very positively by dental and medical students and may improve learning and productivity in the histology classes.Support or Funding InformationCoordination for the Improvement of Higher Education Personnel (CAPES) – Edital Pró‐Ensino em Saúde; Carlos Chagas Filho Foundation for Research Support in the State of Rio de Janeiro (FAPERJ).