Learning to See with C-ME: An Image-Based Learning Tool for Pathology
Dena Marrinucci BA; The Scripps Research Institute; Josh Kunken MS; The Scripps Research Institute; Anand Kolatkar PhD; The Scripps Research Institute; Kelly Bethel MD; Scripps Clinic Medical Group; Robert Sharpe MD; The Scripps Clinic Medical Group; Peter Kuhn PhD; The Scripps Research Institute; Ron Linfesty MD; The Scripps Clinic Medical Group;
Content:
Pathologic diagnosis requires the ability to quickly access large volumes of information in response to an image. Thus, pathology training consists of practicing this behavior: an image (or slide) is viewed, and the trainee must ascertain what disease it most resembles and what subtle features distinguish it from look-alike conditions, and then must link the visual image to the relevant factual diagnostic and prognostic information. While book study provides factual information, development of the 'eye' involves time at the scope, developing the link. We present a teaching tool with embedded, spatially organized informational annotations, designed to mimic and supplement microscope time. The spatially organized structure of the image-based project seeks to develop facility in linking images to data. As well, the project allows for continuous addition of learning units, designed by either teaching staff or trainees, and thus becomes a central repository for case-based learning within a training program.
Technology:
The Collaborative Molecular Environment (C-ME) is a software project originally developed for collaboration across scientific fields and physical locations. It is utilized here for collaborative teaching and learning, leveraging the image based structure of the software to educate in the visually based field of pathology.
Design:
The data is stored on a central Microsoft Office SharePoint Server, with each participant using the C-ME smart client software on their individual laptop or desktop computer to access and manipulate the data stored on the server via the internet. The tool provides the ability to update links to the latest literature on a subject, easily add presentations prepared for various conferences into the master C-ME teaching tool, develop quizzes and discussions linked to images, accommodate multiple users from multiple locations, and can serve as a centralized storehouse for an image-based core curriculum for a training program.
Results:
We demonstrate two units of education: Primary Amyloidosis and Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia. The units are image based, and include PDF documents, PowerPoint presentations, video files, URLs, additional images, and on-line discussions.
Conclusion:
C-ME can be used as an image-based, continuously augmentable teaching tool for pathology learning. In our hematopathology fellowship we have introduced this program as a self-study activity, and encourage trainees to add teaching units and update existing teaching units during their training year, essentially creating an image-based core curriculum pathology training wiki, moderated by the teaching staff.
