CHSU Discovery

Introduction: System-Based Curriculum is the most widely used curricular model in U.S. medical schools. It provides an opportunity for learners to better understand the fundamental sciences over the span of the first two years of medical school and enhance the overall integration between foundational and clinical education throughout the course of their studies. Adequate incorporation of normal histology with basic pathology remains a challenge in this curricular model due to the reduced contact hours between facilitators and learners and limited instruction methods that allow timely integration of both disciplines. The goal of this approach is to bridge the gap between teaching normal histology and basic pathology to improve learner outcomes.

Methods: We provide an example of an application exercise custom designed for a system-based second year course. This application exercise is based on Team Based Learning (TBL), the approach currently used in our Institution.

Results: TBL application exercises provide a unique opportunity to integrate normal histology with basic pathological concepts using real-life scenarios. We provide an example of the following TBL components: Learning objective, selected pre-work material, and an application exercise demonstrating the integration of foundational histological and pathological concepts using a real-life scenario.

Discussion: Correlation of normal histological findings with the morphology of diseases is a critical learning outcome that enhances the critical-thinking skills of students. Additionally, it provides an opportunity to review normal histological concepts that may have been missed during the first year of medical education in a system-based curriculum. Furthermore, applying this approach may potentially increase the influx of students interested in pursuing a career in Pathology.

References:

• Teshome D. Attitude and Perception of Medical Students Towards Histology Subject at Wollo University, Ethiopia. Adv Med Educ Pract. 2022; Apr 19;13:337-344.
• Lew M. Increasing Medical Student Exposure to Pathology by Creating an Integrated Rotation During Surgery Clerkship. Pathol. 2021; May 11;8:23742895211015344.
• Kumar RK, Freeman B, Velan GM, and Permentier PJ. Integrating Histology and Histopathology Teaching in Practical Classes Using Virtual Slides. The Anatomical Record (part B: New Anat.) 2006; 289B:128 –133.

References:

• https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9034839/
• https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8120519/
• https://anatomypubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdfdirect/10.1002/ar.b.20105