Comparison of virtual microscopy and glass slide microscopy among dermatology residents during a simulated in‐training examination. (29th June 2013)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Brick, Katherine E.; Sluzevich, Jason C.; Cappel, Mark A.; DiCaudo, David J.; Comfere, Nneka I.; Wieland, Carilyn N.
• Is Part Of: Journal of cutaneous pathology. Volume 40:Number 9(2013:Sep.)
• Page Start: 807
• Page End: 811
• Publication Date: 2013-06-29
• Subjects: Skin -- Diseases -- Periodicals; Dermatology -- Periodicals; 616
• DOI: 10.1111/cup.12189
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0303-6987

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="main" id="cup12189-abs-0001"> <title>Abstract</title> <sec id="cup12189-sec-0001" sec-type="section"> <title>Background</title> <p id="cup12189-para-0001">Virtual microscopy is increasingly being used in dermatopathology educational settings.</p> </sec> <sec id="cup12189-sec-0002" sec-type="section"> <title>Objective</title> <p id="cup12189-para-0002">The objective is to evaluate diagnostic accuracy and attitudes between virtual microscopy and traditional glass slide microscopy among dermatology residents.</p> </sec> <sec id="cup12189-sec-0003" sec-type="section"> <title>Methods</title> <p id="cup12189-para-0003">A 48‐question dermatopathology examination was administered to 35 dermatology residents at three different dermatology residency training sites during the 2011–2012 academic year with half (n = 24) of the questions using the gold standard of glass slide microscopy and half (n = 24) using whole, scanned virtual slides. Correct number of questions using glass slides and virtual slides was evaluated. Participants were surveyed regarding previous experience with digital slide imaging; quality, ease of use, and speed of slide review; and overall microscopy preferences.</p> </sec> <sec id="cup12189-sec-0004" sec-type="section"> <title>Results</title> <p id="cup12189-para-0004">Overall, diagnostic accuracy was better with glass slides than virtual slides (p = 0.01). However, no statistically significant difference was found in diagnostic accuracy of first‐year trainees (p > 0.99) or trainees with exposure to virtual microscopy greater than two times per month (p = 0.27). There was no overall personal preference for glass slide vs. virtual microscopy.</p> </sec> <sec id="cup12189-sec-0005" sec-type="section"> <title>Limitations</title> <p id="cup12189-para-0005">Different cases and questions were used for glass slides and virtual microscopy.</p> </sec> <sec id="cup12189-sec-0006" sec-type="section"> <title>Conclusions</title> <p id="cup12189-para-0006">Diagnostic accuracy with virtual microscopy is dependent on year of residency training and prior experience with virtual microscopy.</p> </sec> </abstract>