Digital Pathology and ICT in Medical Education in the Pre-COVID Era: Measuring the State of Readiness of Medical Students in a Nigerian Medical School for the Changing Technological Landscape

Background: Information Communication Technologies (ICTs) have caused significant improvement in the practice and teaching of medicine worldwide. The novel coronavirus disease (COVID 19) pandemic has heightened the need for increased development and improvement in ICT skills and infrastructure. ICTs are causing a revolution in the way Pathology is practiced and taught worldwide. This study was carried out to evaluate the utility of ICTs in undergraduate pathology education in a tertiary institution in Nigeria. Materials and Methods: This was a cross sectional study in which a structured questionnaire was used to assess students’ access to ICT, ICT skills and perceptions regarding ICT in pathology education. Questions regarding learning challenges and knowledge of pathology related resources and the current state of utilization of computer based/ digital tools in pathology education in the institution were also examined. Data was analysed using SPSS version 20 and reported in charts. Results: Questionnaires were administered to 146 students out of which 97 responded. Only 44% of the students had personal computers with 24% using their computers daily and 69% having internet connectivity. Most were proficient in Word processing (84%) and Email (80%), while very few had programming or database skills. Eighty-nine percent (89%) considered ICT as being useful in pathology learning, while 65% considered ICT as being more effective than traditional learning methods. Gross demonstrations were rated as being superior to digital images in gross pathology by 55%. The most commonly used ICT tools by the students were photomicrographs, online lecture notes, images and tutorials with interactive ICT tools (webinars, teleconferencing and simulations) hardly being used. Conclusion: The need for formal training in relevant ICT skills in specific content areas is very necessary in our environment, more so now with the appearance of the COVID - 19 pandemic on the scene.