Performance of residents using digital images versus glass slides on certification examination in anatomical pathology: a mixed methods pilot study

Abstract

T he evolution of information technology has revolutionized the practice of pathology. After years of traditional practice using glass slides, we are stepping into a new era of digital images and telepathology.1 Digital pathology can be defined as an image-based information environment enabled by computer technology that allows for the management of information generated from a digital slide. Digital pathology is enabled in part by virtual microscopy, which involves the conversion of glass slides into digital slides that can be viewed, managed and analyzed.2,3 The range of applications of digital pathology is wide and includes primary diagnosis, intraoperative and remote consultation through telepathology, 1,4-6 quality assurance, archiving, education and conferences, examinations, automated image analysis, research and publishing. 1,7 Traditionally, education and training in pathology have been delivered using glass slides and conventional microscopy. Recently, there has been a gradual switch to use of digital images and Web-based pathology resources at the different levels of medical education, from teaching medical students to residents.8 Whole-slide imaging technology allows glass slides to be scanned and viewed on a computer screen at different Background: It is anticipated that many licensing examination centres for pathology will begin fully digitizing the certification examinations. The objective of our study was to test the feasibility of a fully digital examination and to assess the needs, concerns and expectations of pathology residents in moving from a glass slide-based examination to a fully digital examination.

Optical Versus Virtual Microscope for Medical Education: A Systematic Review

“…Despite the limited number of publications available confirming whether the paradigm shift has occurred at the residency training level, use of VM is noticeably present in the certification examination of the American Board of Pathology. More recently, the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada certification examinations for anatomical pathologists has adopted VM for their national licensing examinations, which posed a query of whether it was essential for residency training programs to provide adequate exposure to prepare their learners with a competent level of VM operation (Hanna et al, ; Mirham et al, ). A Canadian nation‐wide pilot study demonstrated that the performance of pathology residents using VM was statistically comparable to that of using OM (Mirham et al, ).…”

“…More recently, the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada certification examinations for anatomical pathologists has adopted VM for their national licensing examinations, which posed a query of whether it was essential for residency training programs to provide adequate exposure to prepare their learners with a competent level of VM operation (Hanna et al, ; Mirham et al, ). A Canadian nation‐wide pilot study demonstrated that the performance of pathology residents using VM was statistically comparable to that of using OM (Mirham et al, ). The same study, however, also indicated that a significant number of participating residents had not reached a comfortable level of VM operation, given their current level of VM exposure.…”

Translational research: Empowering the role of pathologists and cytopathologists

“…Digital pathology and image analysis have been used widely in the last few years . Pathologists and residents are welcoming the use of digital pathology in their daily practice, and comparable results have been obtained when the performance of residents using glass slides was compared with the results from digital images . This opened the door for a new dimension of sophisticated image‐analysis research, such as genotype/phenotype association analysis and radiohistomics, as detailed in a recent review …”

Pédagogie à grande échelle en ACP

“…Bien que les résultats à l'examen simulé n'aient pas démontré de différence significative entre les deux groupes, 95% des participants ont noté des problèmes techniques lors de l'examen sur lames numérisées. Dans un sondage effectué auprès de 179 résidents, tous les répondants considéraient qu'une exposition plus extensive aux lames numériques était nécessaire en vue de se préparer à un examen de certification sur lames virtuelles [7].…”