A WhatsApp-based introductory histopathology and cytology course for first-year pathology postgraduate students.

Background The first-year pathology postgraduates can take a long time to learn the basic skills of microscopy, which can become a barrier to learning. Methods A WhatsApp group comprising all 14 postgraduate first-year students with one senior resident and one faculty as group administrators was formed. For the study, 50 routine cases (35 histopathology cases and 15 cytopathology cases) captured by using a smartphone camera and annotated using image-editing software, along with relevant descriptions and weblinks, were sent to the WhatsApp group. A pre- and post-test comprising 15 cases each was conducted and the results were compared by non-parametric Wilcoxon rank test. A feedback form about the effectiveness of this method of learning was circulated at the end of the study. Results The results of the post-test were better than the pre-test by the non-parametric Wilcoxon rank test. Both the active participants (>10 posts) and passive participants of the study group showed statistically significant improvement in the scores and posted a similar number of intellectually thought-provoking posts. The students' responses to the questionnaire also indicated that they liked the new method of instruction. Conclusion This pilot study shows that smartphone-based learning methods can supplant the traditional methods of teaching for pathology postgraduates.