Jennifer Sells, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Department of Education Development & Innovation
Leticia C. Clemente, Department of Translational Molecular Pathology and Interdisciplinary The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Translational Education and Research Training Core
David P. Farris, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Research Medical Library
Mary L. Sizemore, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Department of Education Development & Innovation
Ignacio I. Wistuba, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Department of Translational Molecular Pathology and Interdisciplinary Translational Education and Research Training Core
Rama Soundararajan, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Department of Translational Molecular Pathology and Interdisciplinary Translational Education and Research Training Core
Maria G. Raso, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Department of Translational Molecular Pathology and Interdisciplinary Translational Education and Research Training Core
Purpose
Knowledge of pathology is integral to numerous healthcare and research disciplines. Despite its importance, there remains a significant gap in structured educational programs designed to provide a fundamental understanding of the pathologic basis of disease for an interdisciplinary body of research healthcare professionals. This lack of targeted training may contribute to a broader knowledge deficit within the field. To address this unmet educational need, we developed a specialized pathology training course tailored for scientists in basic- and translational science.
Methods
The "Fundamental Pathology for Basic Scientists: A Self-Paced Online Certificate Course" was conducted in 2023-2024 with 29 participants from across the Texas Medical Center. The course, comprising 24 instructional modules, was delivered over 24 weeks in an online, asynchronous, and readily accessible CANVAS learning management system format. The educational objectives for each module were organized around organ- and organ-system-specific content, aiming to 1) incorporate the pathological basis of diseases, 2) distinguish clinicopathologic correlations, and 3) recognize the impact of molecular- and translational pathology and associated state-of-the-art diagnostic technology. Participants were voluntarily surveyed both before- and after the course to assess its effectiveness.
Results
The pre-entry survey revealed that participants represented 16 departments (widely varied training backgrounds, career stages, and job descriptions within the biomedical research enterprise), with 76% reporting no prior basic pathology training. The exit survey showcased positive feedback on the course structure, instructors, delivery method, and lecture content, with over 90% of learners stating that the course enriched their understanding of basic pathology. Additionally, 79% of participants reported already applying what they had learned to their current roles.
Conclusions
The initial outcomes of this pilot course suggest that the asynchronous delivery method was well-suited to participants' workloads and that the content was valuable for basic and translational scientists seeking to deepen their understanding of fundamental pathology in the context of biomedical research.