QR Code-enabled Pathology Museum: Students’ Response to Innovative Practice in Medical Education
Year: 2026
Type: article
Abstract: The present generation of students are compulsive users of smartphones.The personal mobile phone has become an inseparable part of everyone's lives and, in today's technologically advanced age, plays an important role in day-to-day routine activities.It is necessary to incorporate this advancement in technology in medical education in order to stay abreast of current times, to strike a chord with the present generation of medical students, and to impart knowledge to students in a manner that is suited to them. 5 Also, the coronavirus pandemic that started in 2020 heralded drastic changes in the education system all over the IntroductIonThe anatomy and pathology departmental museums have held a prominent place in medical education for many years.Dating back to the 17th century, they have contributed significantly to medical training and research.1 Even today, almost 400 years later, medical museums attract and fascinate students and the public alike.However, in recent years, there has been a rapid change in medical education, particularly regarding the role of museums.Shortage of specimens, introduction of innovative teaching practices, and alternative teaching tools, among other factors, have changed the traditional approach to anatomical education.Alternative teaching tools include, but are not limited to, plastinated specimens, three-dimensional (3D) printed models of specimens, virtual and augmented reality, virtual dissections, and a variety of specific multimedia applications.2 The use of such alternative tools has provided a much-needed impetus to medical education.However, they have reduced the role and importance of medical museums, which many educators believe should not be completely done away with.Medical museums can still serve as a means for independent learning as they help develop observational skills and encourage small group learning with the inculcation of interpersonal and communication skills.3,4 In order to stay relevant, most medical museums have incorporated some form of innovative practices to supplement the traditional specimen display.These include integration of audiovisual aids and provision of simulations along with the text description of the specimens.
Source: Journal of Medical Academics
Authors: Mayank Kumar, Ranvijay Singh, Paras Kharbanda, Yogesh Kumar Yadav, Firoz Ahmad, Satyajeet Verma
Language: English
Subfield: Biomedical Engineering
Field: Engineering
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: diamond
OpenAlex ID: W7166709725