Perceptual Analysis of the Reading of Dermatopathology Virtual Slides by Pathology Residents

Abstract

Two types of slide exploration strategy were identified for both groups: (1) a focused and efficient search, observed when the final diagnosis was correct; and (2) a more dispersed, time-consuming strategy, observed when the final diagnosis was incorrect. This difference was statistically significant, and it suggests that initial interpretation of a slide may bias further slide exploration.

Expertise under the microscope: processing histopathological slides

“…Its central question is: What are the differences among practitioners with different levels of expertise in clinical pathology, namely, medical students, residents and pathologists? Although this is not the first study of differences in expertise in this domain, [1][2][3] it is the first to combine diagnostic accuracy with visual and cognitive expertise to give a complete account of typical novice, intermediate and expert behaviours.…”

“…The most important difference between these two groups lies in the search-then-detect approach of intermediates, as opposed to the recognise/ detect-then-search approach of experts. 2,26 Although specific training lessons are difficult to deduce from these results, feedback seems to play a role in the gaining of expertise: radiology residents trained with feedback loops were reported to perform better than those who simply read a high volume of cases. 26 Limitations and future research Participants in this study were given 2 seconds to reach a diagnosis.…”

Comparison of virtual microscopy and glass slide microscopy among dermatology residents during a simulated in‐training examination

“…20,21 Forcing the use of a new technique, such as real-time navigation of a virtual slide in a testing environment, requires adjustments in this systematic approach. 22,23 The differential between the performances of first-and third-year residents on scanned slide cases indicates that earlier exposure to virtual imaging in dermatopathology may lead to better performance with this technology in the future.…”

Eye Movements as an Index of Pathologist Visual Expertise: A Pilot Study

“…However, little is known about how visual expertise develops during and after training, which perceptual and cognitive mechanisms are responsible for expertise development, and how educators can evaluate its progress over time [1]–[3]. These issues are especially important given the Accreditation Council on Graduate Medical Education’s (ACGME) focus on competency development, which is part of their Next Accreditation System [4].…”