Laboratory Medicine and Pathology Education During the COVID-19 Pandemic—Lessons Learned

Abstract

The rapidly spreading COVID-19 pandemic demanded immediate organizational pivots in departments of laboratory medicine and pathology, including development and implementation of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 diagnostics in the face of unprecedented supply chain shortages. Laboratory medicine and pathology educational programs were affected in numerous ways. Here, we overview the effects of COVID-19 on the large, academic Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology educational practice at Mayo Clinic, highlighting lessons learned for the post-pandemic era and planning for the possibility of a future pandemic.

Optimizing schools of cytology: Discussions from the 2022 ASC/IAC Cytology Education Symposium, North American Strategies, and European Symbiosis

“…Digital slide libraries and study sets may perhaps be more readily shared among various categories of learners than actual glass slides because of portability, ease of access, and possibility for multiple learners to access content simultaneously. While the COVID pandemic has taught us that virtual interactions provide flexibility, educators emphasized that technologies such as Zoom and Teams can be associated with fatigue and may not accurately simulate real‐world settings 6 . As telecytology services expand in clinical settings, the need for telecytology education is real, and virtual slide sharing in educational settings can provide all learners with valuable experiences that may later be encountered in and incorporated into routine clinical practice.…”

Enhancing hematopathology peripheral blood smear education through asynchronous video material: A pilot report

“…The COVID-19 pandemic impacted all aspects of medical education, including a shift in pedagogy and a shift in perspective on how to use the new technologies for medical education. 2 , 3 , 4 There continues to be a rising importance of virtual resources like asynchronous videos. 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 Our findings suggest that self-directed learning via asynchronous videos can enhance traditional sign-out sessions in hematopathology education, providing trainees access to a broader range of cases and interpretations.…”

“… 2 , 3 , 4 There continues to be a rising importance of virtual resources like asynchronous videos. 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 Our findings suggest that self-directed learning via asynchronous videos can enhance traditional sign-out sessions in hematopathology education, providing trainees access to a broader range of cases and interpretations. This study could potentially inspire other institutions to develop asynchronous educational materials that can enhance understanding of pathology concepts, making sign-out sessions more productive.…”

“…This aligns with findings from previous research. 2 , 4 , 5 , 6 , 7 , 8 Asynchronous learning also faces challenges such as suboptimal internet connections and a lack of hands-on activities.…”

COVID and cytopathology training: Impact and innovations

“…Some institutions' visiting resident programs were suspended during the pandemic with external visiting trainees put on hold. 8 Graduation ceremonies could not be held in-person.…”