Experimental Production and Implementation of the Pathology Laboratory Teaching Material Using Virtual Microscope

Abstract

Purpose: Learning the concepts of pathology can be facilitated by repeated learning situations with illustrative pathology images. Virtual microscopes are digital facsimiles of glass slides that can be viewed on a computer screen. This study was designed to evaluate the possibility of using virtual microscopes as a teaching modality in the pathology laboratory. Methods: The virtual microscope was produced from high resolution images scanned by an exclusive slide scanner from newly made teaching glass slides. The final teaching material was put up on personal computers in the computer laboratory, classr oom, and medical library. Results: This material was easily accessed by exclusive viewers. The students readily adapted to the use of virtual microscopes. The quality of the images in this material was appropriate for viewing. The response from the students displayed highly significant differences between the traditional and virtual microscopes, with the virtual microscope being preferred. Conclusion: The virtual microscopes in this study were helpful for medical students studying pathology. The results of this implementation suggest that virtual microscope technology may be extended to other educational venues where traditional microscopes and photomicrographs are currently used.