Web-based
Approach to Teaching Diagnostic Cytology using a "Virtual" Microscope
W Wang, MD, PhD, S Dee, MD, A Naqvi, MD, S Stowell, C
Steele, J Woo, PhD Department of Pathology, SUNY Upstate Medical University,
Syracuse, New York
ABSTRACT:
Teaching diagnostic
cytology has traditionally relied on review of microscopic slides to evaluate
cells obtained from a lesion for identifying abnormal cells and diagnosing
disease. This process is time consuming and is increasingly unsuitable in the
current teaching environment. The Web format is particularly suited for
teaching and learning cytology because of its visually oriented discipline. We
have developed an interactive cytology case study module involving evaluation
of pap smears and non-GYN cytology specimens with a "virtual"
microscope. This allows students to evaluate a large portion of a glass slide,
using panning and zooming functions, rather than simply viewing one or two
static fields. This technology is thus similar to actually using a microscope.
The Web-based module allows students to learn at their own pace and should
serve as a viable supplement to the traditional study of glass slides.
The module is
designed based on the database-driven web page concept using FileMaker Pro to
create the database and CDML/JavaScript/HTML to develop the Web display. The
module begins with an introductory tutorial of commonly encountered diseases
categorized into GYN and non-GYN sections, and the non-GYN section may be
further broken down to organ/system. Each disease is illustrated by actual
patient cases with corresponding clinical history and associated microscopic
images for evaluation. With simple clicks of the mouse, the student views
images at low power that can be panned and zoomed to high magnification; hot spots
are also provided to display explanatory comments. A list of questions with
answers guides the student to the correct diagnosis. The diagnosis is then
linked to PubMed for instant retrieval of recent relevant articles from the
medical literature. Web-based cross-references are linked for review, and
unknown cases are available as post-study quizzes. This module is primarily aimed at Pathology residency level.
However, contents in the module may be layered for use by medical students,
cytotechnologists, and cytotechnology students.
BENEFIT TO PARTICIPANTS ATTENDING SESSION:
Participants will learn from this
presentation: 1) a viable self-directed approach to learning diagnostic
cytology at one's own pace, 2) the advantages of using integrated databases in
the organization and display of information, and 3) the ability to enrich
learning by providing links to other cytology cases, images, and references
through the Internet.
Weichen Wang, MD, PhD
Department of
Pathology, SUNY Upstate Medical University, Syracuse NY 13210
Phone: 315-464-7161
Fax:
315-464-7130 Email: wangw@upstate.edu
CO-AUTHORS:
S Dee, MD, A Naqvi,
MD, S Stowell, C Steele, J Woo, PhD
Department of
Pathology, SUNY Upstate Medical University, Syracuse NY 13210
Phone: 315-464-7123
(for all)
315-464-6717
(JW) Fax: 315-464-7130
Email: dees@upstate.edu, naqvia@upstate.edu, stowells@upstate.edu steelec@upstate.edu, wooj@upstate.edu
Website:
http://pathed.upstate.edu:8080/path_confern/frame.htm