Enhancing histological identification skills through rapid cycle deliberate practice: a study on accuracy and speed for first-year MBBS students in anatomy

Accurate and rapid histological slide identification is crucial for medical students, essential for understanding normal and pathological tissues. Traditional teaching methods often lack the dynamic and interactive components necessary for effective learning. Rapid Cycle Deliberate Practice (RCDP) integrates short, repetitive practice cycles with immediate feedback, enhancing learning efficiency and skill retention. This study evaluates the impact of RCDP on the histological identification skills of first-year MBBS (Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery) students, measuring improvements in accuracy and speed following a six-week RCDP intervention compared to traditional methods. A randomized controlled trial involving 150 first-year MBBS students was conducted. A pre-test assessed baseline skills, followed by a six-week RCDP program with immediate feedback. A post-test identical to the pre-test but with a reduced time limit measured improvements. Statistical analysis using paired t-tests determined the significance of changes observed. The RCDP group showed a significant increase in mean scores (74.50 ± 14.29) compared to the traditional group (48.03 ± 16.90), with a t-value of 14.63 and p ≤ 0.001, indicating enhanced accuracy and speed. This study supports integrating RCDP into histology education for first-year MBBS students. RCDP fosters rapid learning and skill refinement through immediate feedback and repetitive practice, offering an effective alternative to traditional methods. Further exploration and broader implementation of RCDP in health sciences could improve educational outcomes and patient care.