Microscope Use in Clinical Veterinary Practice and Potential Implications for Veterinary School Curricula

Abstract

Microscopy (skill of using a microscope) and the concepts of cytology (study of cells) and histology (study of tissues) are most often taught in professional veterinary medicine programs through the traditional method of glass slides and light microscopes. Several limiting factors in veterinary training programs are encouraging educators to explore innovative options for teaching microscopy skills and the concepts of cytology and histology. An anonymous online survey was administered through the Colorado Veterinary Medical Association to Colorado veterinarians working in private practice. It was designed to assess their current usage of microscopes for cytological and histological evaluation of specimens and their perceptions of microscope use in their veterinary education. The first part of the survey was answered by 183 veterinarians, with 104 indicating they had an onsite diagnostic lab. Analysis pertaining to the use of the microscope in practice and in veterinary programs was conducted on this subset. Most respondents felt the amount of time spent in the curriculum using a microscope was just right for basic microscope use and using the microscope for viewing and learning about normal and abnormal histological sections and clinical cytology. Participants felt more emphasis could be placed on clinical and diagnostic cytology. Study results suggest that practicing veterinarians frequently use microscopes for a wide variety of cytological diagnostics. However, only two respondents indicated they prepared samples for histological evaluation. Veterinary schools should consider these results against the backdrop of pressure to implement innovative teaching techniques to meet the changing needs of the profession.

Histology as a paradigm for a science‐based learning experience: Visits by histology education spirits of past, present, and future

“…The development of histology as a research field and educational discipline that is distinct from gross anatomy is closely associated with its role as an important topic for learners of the biomedical sciences, especially medical, dental, and veterinary students. [33][34][35][36][37][38] Starting around 1830, the use of microscopes by medical students became common at several German universities and by 1850 14 out of 19 medical schools in Germany were offering courses in microscopy. 39 Friedrich Gustav Jacob Henle (1809-1885) at the University of Heidelberg and several of his colleagues at other European universities promoted the use of microscopes for the education in histology and pathology.…”

“…The development of histology as a research field and educational discipline that is distinct from gross anatomy is closely associated with its role as an important topic for learners of the biomedical sciences, especially medical, dental, and veterinary students 33–38 . Starting around 1830, the use of microscopes by medical students became common at several German universities and by 1850 14 out of 19 medical schools in Germany were offering courses in microscopy 39 .…”

The Pathologist 2.0: An Update on Digital Pathology in Veterinary Medicine

“…22,48,62,65 A survey about the use of microscopes in veterinary practices revealed that 93% of practitioners use microscopes in at least every 10th appointment for the analysis of fecal samples, fineneedle aspirates, skin scrapings, and vaginal smears. 65 Knowledge transfer of LM techniques should thus still be considered as substantial "day 1 skills" of veterinary students. 34,48 Table 5 summarizes the main advantages and disadvantages of the integration of VM into the veterinary curriculum.…”

“…34 This is in accordance with some pathologists, who fear that a strong focus on VM in the education of veterinary students may lead to a lack of transfer of skills in the analysis of glass slides by conventional light microscopes, which is still almost exclusively used in routine veterinary practice, especially for cytopathology analysis. 22,48,62,65 A survey about the use of microscopes in veterinary practices revealed that 93% of practitioners use microscopes in at least every 10th appointment for the analysis of fecal samples, fine-needle aspirates, skin scrapings, and vaginal smears. 65 Knowledge transfer of LM techniques should thus still be considered as substantial “day 1 skills” of veterinary students.…”

A century of teaching veterinary parasitology in South Africa – Lessons learnt

“…Practising veterinarians still frequently use microscopes, not only for parasite identification but also for general cytology, etc. ; hands-on use of microscopes should, therefore, remain a core competency of newly graduated veterinarians (Stewart et al, 2014).…”