ABSTRACT
Improvement in technology and inclusion of new parameters in automated hematology analyzers allows for better and faster detection of anemias. These parameters along with histograms provide details and clues that help to diagnose the etiology of anemia and help bridge the time lag in detection and treatment. Timely and expert interpretation of complete blood counts should not be limited to the pathologist but should also interest the clinician to allow for efficient patient care.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND The first-year pathology postgraduates can take a long time to learn the basic skills of microscopy, which can become a barrier to learning. METHODS A WhatsApp group comprising all 14 postgraduate first-year students with one senior resident and one faculty as group administrators was formed. For the study, 50 routine cases (35 histopathology cases and 15 cytopathology cases) captured by using a smartphone camera and annotated using image-editing software, along with relevant descriptions and weblinks, were sent to the WhatsApp group. A pre- and post-test comprising 15 cases each was conducted and the results were compared by non-parametric Wilcoxon rank test. A feedback form about the effectiveness of this method of learning was circulated at the end of the study. RESULTS The results of the post-test were better than the pre-test by the non-parametric Wilcoxon rank test. Both the active participants (>10 posts) and passive participants of the study group showed statistically significant improvement in the scores and posted a similar number of intellectually thought-provoking posts. The students’ responses to the questionnaire also indicated that they liked the new method of instruction. CONCLUSION This pilot study shows that smartphone-based learning methods can supplant the traditional methods of teaching for pathology postgraduates.