Enhancing histology slide identification skills of 1st year undergraduate medical students.

ABSTRACT

Introduction: First year undergraduate medical students find it difficult to identify histology slides in the laboratory, even though they have a good theoretical knowledge about them. Aim: The present study was undertaken to improve histology slide identification skills of the students using a new innovative method and also to compare the same with traditional methods of teaching histology. Materials & Methods: 150 first year medical undergraduates (MBBS) from JIPMER, Pondicherry formed the subjects of the present study. Digital images from slides available at our department in JIPMER (Jawaharlal institute of post graduate medical education and research), Pondicherry were labeled and used in lecture classes as well as for subsequent student assessment. Results: 94% of the students identified all the slides correctly and mentioned important identifying points using the newer method whereas only 52% and 64% of the students identified all the slides correctly and mentioned important identifying points using pointers in the eye piece method and live/ real time demonstration (older/traditional methods ) respectively. Conclusion: The new method has been shown to be effective and makes efficient use of the available time and superior to older methods of teaching histology.