Incorporation of autopsy case–based learning into PhD graduate education: a novel approach to bridging the “bench-to-bedside” gap

Abstract

Given the current rapid expansion of biological knowledge and the challenges of translating that knowledge into clinical practice, finding effective methods of teaching graduate students clinical medicine concepts has become even more critical. The utility of autopsy in medical student and resident education has been well established. Multiple studies have reported it to be a helpful means of teaching anatomy, pathophysiology, clinical problem-solving skills, and medical diagnostic techniques. Although various models of training PhD candidates in clinical medicine have been reported, an autopsy-based curriculum has not been previously described. For over 4 years, our pathology department has offered a novel semester-long autopsy-based course to educate future Cellular and Molecular Pathology scientists about clinical medicine. Our results indicate that this "hands-on" approach is a popular as well as effective means of teaching the pathogenesis of disease at the level of the cell, organ, and patient. The course reputation has recently led to requests to open registration to graduate students from other university programs as well as undergraduate students. Additionally, it has played an important role in our Cellular and Molecular Pathology program's recent receipt of a 5-year renewal National Institutes of Health-funded T32 award. Overall, this course model has been successful at our own institution and could provide a useful template for other institutions seeking to provide graduate investigators with in-depth exposure to clinical medicine.

Comparison of case-based learning and traditional method in teaching postgraduate students of medical oncology

“…These findings are in line with several types of relative earlier researches, demonstrating that the use of real patients reinforcing the clinical application of basic science knowledge, and performing an active motivational context. CBL is a powerful learning strategy for medical students at undergraduate level education as well as for professional development (Mehmet et al 2014;Raurell-Torreda et al 2015;Yoo and Park 2015;Brooks et al 2017).…”

Autopsies and quality of cause of death diagnoses

“…It is therefore necessary to increase the use of autopsies as a learning tool in undergraduate education. 13,15,35 This will change the attitudes and interests of the medical profession and nursing staff in clinical autopsies and could eventually increase the number of autopsies requested. Education will improve the ability of medical and nursing staff to communicate more effectively with relatives regarding the purpose of autopsies and the value of the information that is currently often inaccurate and incomplete.…”

“…12 Autopsies have traditionally been used in undergraduate medical education; however, in recent decades, they have stopped being an important teaching tool, although several studies have confirmed their value. 8,[13][14][15][16][17] Burton and Underwood 18 state in their review in Lancet 2007 that autopsies are underused in clinical practice and highlight the importance of the fact that many doctors are not familiar with autopsy routines and underestimate their value.…”