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. 2015 Jun 2:15:94.
doi: 10.1186/s12909-015-0381-7.

A survey study on student preferences regarding pathology teaching in Germany: a call for curricular modernization

Florian E M Herrmann  1 , Markus Lenski  2 , Julius Steffen  3 , Magdalena Kailuweit  4 , Marc Nikolaus  5 , Rajasekaran Koteeswaran  6 , Andreas Sailer  7 , Anna Hanszke  8 , Maximilian Wintergerst  9 , Sissi Dittmer  10 , Doris Mayr  11 , Orsolya Genzel-Boroviczény  12   13 , Diann S Eley  14 , Martin R Fischer  15   16
Affiliations

A survey study on student preferences regarding pathology teaching in Germany: a call for curricular modernization

Florian E M Herrmann et al. BMC Med Educ. .

Abstract

Background: Pathology is a discipline that provides the basis of the understanding of disease in medicine. The past decades have seen a decline in the emphasis laid on pathology teaching in medical schools and outdated pathology curricula have worsened the situation. Student opinions and thoughts are central to the questions of whether and how such curricula should be modernized.

Methods: A survey was conducted among 1018 German medical students regarding their preferences in pathology teaching modalities and their satisfaction with lecture-based courses. A qualitative analysis was performed comparing a recently modernized pathology curriculum with a traditional lecture-based curriculum. The differences in modalities of teaching used were investigated.

Results: Student satisfaction with the lecture-based curriculum positively correlated with student grades (spearman's correlation coefficient 0.24). Additionally, students with lower grades supported changing the curriculum (spearman's correlation coefficient 0.47). The majority supported virtual microscopy, autopsies, seminars and podcasts as preferred didactic methods.

Conclusions: The data supports the implementation of a pathology curriculum where tutorials, autopsies and supplementary computer-based learning tools play important roles.

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Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Student goals. Students’ level of agreement with the statement that the labels on the left describe their goals in the pathology course in medical school (absolute values)
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Student satisfaction. Representation of students’ responses to the statement that their pathology curriculum should be modernized and with the statement that they are satisfied with their current curriculum (absolute value). Discrepancy between the two charts suggests that a subgroup of students, while slightly satisfied, would still welcome modernization
Fig. 3
Fig. 3
Student preferences. Students’ level of agreement with the statement that the type of course mentioned in the labels on the left should be included in the modernized curriculum (absolute values)
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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