An integrated virtual pathology education platform developed using Microsoft Power Apps and Microsoft Teams

Abstract

The transition towards digital pathology and an extensive selection of video conferencing platforms have helped provide continuity to education even during the COVID-19 pandemic. Innovative approaches for pathology education, will likely persist beyond the pandemic, as they have powerful didactic potential. While there is a wide selection of software for use as educational tools, an environment to access all resources with ease is clearly lacking. In this technical note, we highlight our customized educational applications built using a low-code approach. Our applications, developed with Microsoft Power Apps, serve both educational and examination purposes and are launched using Microsoft Teams. Building applications using a low-code approach has made our applications very specific to our use and enabled daily distanced education. Combined with existing features on Teams, such as file sharing, meeting scheduling, and messaging, the applications serve as a unique and customizable pathology educational platform.

Keywords: Digital pathology; Educational platform; Low-code application.

Fig. 1

Whole slide image hosted on MyObjective™ accessed using the app. Molluscum contagiosum, Hematoxylin and Eosin stain, 50X magnification.

Fig. 2

Drag and drop components on Power Apps used in designing the digital pathology app.

Fig. 3

Published apps created using Power Apps integrated with Microsoft Teams.

Fig. 4

Overview of the Digital Pathology app.

Fig. 5

Digital Pathology app showing: (a) List of whole slide images with their diagnoses than can be launched, (b) quiz mode within the app, and (c) display of the users evaluated answers.

Fig. 6

Written examination app: (a) Overview of the written examination app showing the examination schedule, (b) example of a gross pathology question showing a para-sagittal section of a right extrapleural pneumonectomy specimen, with gross diagnosis of mesothelioma of the pleura, and (c) example of a slide-based question.

Fig. 7

(a) Resident’s schedule on the oral examination app, (b) Examiner’s schedule.

Fig. 8

Written examination results of residents viewed on SharePoint.

Fig. 9

(a) Files tab on the Foundation Histology Bootcamp app showing uploaded content, (b) posts tab on the app showing posted schedules and assignments.