Topic outline

VPLR

Virtual Pathology Learning Resource

Dr Jyothi Thalluri, Dr Irina Majumder, Paul Shepherd

Pathology is an important component in the medical and allied Health science courses. The examination of pathological specimens is essential while learning the disease processes. However, the efficient use of specimens from the pathology museum is frequently limited due to inaccessibility for off-campus students, occupational health and safety issues, and large student numbers. This VPLR is a new teaching platform comprising digitized human normal and human pathology specimens, patient case studies, histology, histopathology, short answer/ critical thinking questions and self-assessment quizzes.

The pathology specimens representing common conditions were selected to create an accessible and effective tool to help students to link the theoretical basis of pathology, pathophysiology and related courses with their future profession. High quality photographs of the anterior and posterior views were taken and the images were processed using Adobe Photoshop and Adobe Flash software. Key anatomical structures were labelled using interactive techniques: clicking on a structure name from the list adjacent to the image would highlight the structure on the photograph. Interactive links to the definitions of the key pathological concepts were integrated into the text of the case study. Each of the case studies included a detailed description of the pathology identifiable on the specimens. Relevant histological images as well as the photographs of normal specimens were linked to the case studies as well. A list of logical reasoning questions and multiple choice questions covering important concepts of pathology and pathophysiology accompanied each of the case studies.

This resource is developed to promote evidence based and inquiry based learning styles, and is aimed to enhance interdisciplinary/inter-professional learning for medical and health sciences students.

Click on the links, or images, below to access the learning modules. Modules will open in a new window - close window to return to this page.