Interactive online clinicopathologic case simulations in coagulation disorders for pathology residency programs: A multi-institutional study

Learning coagulation disorders can be challenging to trainees given the rarity of these diseases and the differences in case volume among different training programs. In addition, the work-up is frequently done in a piecemeal fashion with multiple tests ordered before the involvement of trainees; this precludes independent judgment on work-up. To address these deficiencies, we evaluated the usefulness of an interactive online case-based coagulation module in four American College of Graduate Medical Education-accredited pathology training programs. Nine high-yield cases of coagulation disorders were uploaded into an online system (Pathology Playground). Fifty trainees were provided a link to work up the cases on their own several days before a discussion session, with three case sets and three discussion sessions in total (July-September 2024). In each session, cases were reviewed under the supervision of the pathology attending(s). Pre-assessment and post-assessment tests were administered, and a survey was distributed to trainees. The mean pre-assessment score was 62.5%, and the mean post-assessment score was 80.6%. In the survey, 85% of the participants found the module more useful than lectures/textbooks, 82% said they had a better understanding of working up cases, and 96% wanted more cases. The integration of the standardized module into the curriculum has been successful and improved the knowledge of our trainees.