Histological knowledge as a predictor of medical students' performance in diagnostic pathology

Abstract

Over the years, the role and extent of the basic sciences in medical curricula have been challenged by research on clinical expertise, clinical teachers, and medical students, as well as by the development and diversification of the medical curricula themselves. The aim of this study was to examine how prior knowledge of basic histology and histopathology among students predicts early learning of diagnostic pathology. Participants (N=118, representing 91% of the full student cohort) were medical students at the University of Turku, Finland. Data were collected during two preclinical courses that students attended in their first and second years of medical school. The measurements included tests on biomedical and clinical knowledge and a performance test in diagnostic pathology. Second-year performance on the diagnostic pathology examinations was predicted by the students' prior knowledge of histology, but not by the students' prior knowledge of histopathology. Although earlier research has demonstrated similar results in studies with shorter longitudinal designs, the present study demonstrates that the effect remains even if there is a considerably long time delay (a year) between the measurements, thus confirming the long-term value of basic science studies in the preclinical phase.

Bring Your Own Device Initiative to Improve Engagement and Performance in Human Anatomy and Physiology I and II Laboratories

“…where knowledge of tissues, obtaining samples for biopsy, and interpreting microscopic specimens are critical to job performance. Nivala et al (2013) found that students' prior histological knowledge is a predictor of medical student performance in diagnostic pathology, confirming the value of having a strong background in the basic medical sciences.…”

Exploring eye movements of experienced and novice readers of medical texts concerning the cardiovascular system in making a diagnosis

“…For example, it has been suggested that biomedical understanding acts as a mediator in such reasoning, since students with misconceptions in biomedical knowledge also appear to perform poorly in clinical reasoning, while those with excellent clinical reasoning skills remarkably improve their biomedical knowledge during preclinical studies (Ahopelto et al, ). Further, Nivala et al () confirmed the long‐term value of basic science studies in the preclinical phase by showing that performance in diagnostic pathology was predicted by students' prior knowledge of histology, even after a relatively long time delay between measurements.…”

“…There appears to be a consensus regarding the value of biomedical knowledge as a foundation for clinical knowledge, but the precise role of biomedical knowledge in clinical reasoning remains a subject of debate (Kaufman et al, ). Recent studies have indicated that the biomedical basic science knowledge taught at the beginning of medical studies plays a central role in students' clinical reasoning (Ahopelto et al, ; Nivala et al, ). For example, it has been suggested that biomedical understanding acts as a mediator in such reasoning, since students with misconceptions in biomedical knowledge also appear to perform poorly in clinical reasoning, while those with excellent clinical reasoning skills remarkably improve their biomedical knowledge during preclinical studies (Ahopelto et al, ).…”

Relatable patterns in diagnostic pathology

“…1 Basic knowledge of histology and histopathology predict early learning of diagnostic pathology. 2 Classical clinical presentations along with characteristic radiological and histopathological patterns are suggestive of a particular tumour or group of tumours; thereby aid in providing a correct histopathological diagnosis. 3 Collective clinical, radiological and histopathological analysis helps in formulating a list of differential diagnosis, and reaching a final diagnosis.…”

“…4 Both histology and diagnostic pathology rely heavily on microscopic images. 2 Various characteristic patterns have a peculiar picture which resembles with things present in our surrounding environment. These patterns can hence be easily memorised, correlated to reach a proper diagnosis and deliver appropriate treatment.…”