Students' Perspectives on Learning Basic Histology

Cardona, Bryan; Botero-González, Daniela

doi:10.22062/sdme.2025.200951.1538

Students' Perspectives on Learning Basic Histology

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

Bryan Cardona ¹

Daniela Botero-González ²

¹ Medical Student, Faculty of Health Science, Universidad Tecnológica de Pereira, Pereira, Colombia

² PhD, Assistant Professor, Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Faculty of Health Science, Universidad Tecnológica de Pereira, Pereira, Colombia

https://doi.org/10.22062/sdme.2025.200951.1538

Abstract

Background: Histology plays a crucial role in shaping future physicians by providing a microscopic perspective on the human body. Despite its significance, both students and educators often perceive histology as a challenging and abstract subject. Limited research exists on students' perspectives regarding the difficulties encountered in this area of health science undergraduate programs.
Objectives: Characterize students' perspectives and experiences when learning basic histology as part of the medical program at the Universidad Tecnológica de Pereira, Colombia.
Methods: Ninety-five undergraduate medical students participated in a survey to gather their viewpoints on the basic histology curriculum. The responses address key issues from the student perspective, such as specific difficulties in their learning, identification of the most challenging theoretical and practical topics, struggles in image identification, and suggestions for course improvement.
Results: Hematopoiesis was identified as the most challenging topic in the curriculum (32.5%). Difficulties in image identification were expressed, citing similarities in histological tissues (25.6%), the aged and damaged condition of microscope slides (21.5%), and confusion in tissue orientation and sectioning (13.9%). Recommendations to improve the course included replacement of laboratory materials/instruments (14.9%), incorporation of prior anatomy knowledge (13.5%), increased hours with student monitors (13%), and integration of more dynamic activities (12.1%).
Conclusion: This study provides valuable insights into students' opinions and needs regarding basic histology, prompting a critical evaluation of the curriculum and teaching methodologies. Understanding these perspectives is essential for refining histology education, fostering a more effective, engaging learning environment for future healthcare professionals.

Highlights

Bryan Cardona: (Google Scholar) (PubMed)

Daniela Botero-González: (Google Scholar) (PubMed)

Keywords

Histology

Learning

Medical Education

Medical Student

Undergraduate Medical Education

1. Vélez P. Histology as a subject in Colombia: perceptions based on an opinion survey of teachers, students and graduates of the Medicine program. Morfolia. 2022;14(1): 50-73.

2. Sherman S, Jue C. Pedagogical methods for teaching histology in anatomy and physiology courses. HAPS Educ. 2009;14:50-5.

3. Herrero JJ, Fernández E, Cuenca N. Learning/forgetting in University Teaching. In: Analysis of four medical subjects. Barcelona: Department of Educational Sciences. University of Barcelona; 1991: 237–49. [In Spanish]

4. Lawrenz F. The prediction of student attitude toward science from student perception of the classroom learning environment. Journal of Research in Science Teaching. 1976; 13(6): 509-15. doi: 10.1002/tea.3660130605.

5. Ҫakiroglu E, Ҫakiroglu J. Reflections on Teacher Education in Turkey. European Journal of Teacher Education. 2003;26(2):253-64. doi: 10.1080/0261976032000088774.

6. Telli S, Brok P, Tekkaya C, Çakıroğlu J. Turkish students’ perceptions of their biology learning environments: The effects of gender and grade level. Asian Journal of Educational Research and Synergy. 2009;1(1):110-24.

7. Veerapen K, McAleer S. Students’ perception of the learning environment in a distributed medical programme. Med Educ Online. 2010; 15. doi: 10.3402/meo.v15i0.5168. PMID: 20922033 PMCID: PMC2946853

8. Al-Kabbaa AF, Ahmad HH, Saeed AA, Abdalla AM, Mustafa AA. Perception of the learning environment by students in a new medical school in Saudi Arabia: Areas of concern. Journal of Taibah University Medical Sciences. 2012;7(2):69-75. doi:10.1016/j.jtumed.2012.11.001.

9. Bakhshialiabad H, Bakhshi M, Hassanshahi G. Students' perceptions of the academic learning environment in seven medical sciences courses based on DREEM. Adv Med Educ Pract. 2015;6:195-203. doi: 10.2147/AMEP.S60570. PMID: 25848331 PMCID: PMC4376065

10. Özcan N. A group of students’ and teachers’ perceptions with respect to biology education at high school level. (Dissertation). Ankara: Middle East Technical University; 2003: 147.

11. Phoenix DA. Looking towards reform — the student focus. Journal of Biological Education. 2000; 34(4): 171. doi:10.1080/00219266.2000.9655713.

12. García M, Victory N, Navarro‐Sempere A, Segovia Y. Students’ Views on Difficulties in Learning Histology. Anat Sci Educ. 2019;12(5):541-9. doi: 10.1002/ase.1838. PMID: 30378295

13. Cui D, Moxham BJ. A core syllabus for histology within the medical curriculum—The cell and basic tissues. Clin Anat. 2021;34(3):483-495. doi: 10.1002/ca.23720. PMID: 33449424

14. Eng‐Tat A, Liu P, Jitesh R, Chandrika M, Satish RL, Lian WQD, et al. The challenges of histology education. Clin Anat. 2023;36(2): 308-14. doi: 10.1002/ca.23989. PMID: 36494890

15. Tauber Z, Lichnovska R, Erdosova B, Zizka R, Cizkova K. Teaching Histology in the Age of Virtual Microscopy and E-Resources: Is a Tailored Approach to Domestic and International Students Warranted?. Interdisciplinary Journal of Virtual Learning in Medical Sciences. 2021; 12(2): 97-105. doi: 10.30476/ijvlms.2021.89764.1080.

16. Basu R, Roy T. Perception of First Year Medical Students towards a New Histology Module in a Medical College in Eastern India: A Quasi-Experimental Study. Journal of Clinical & Diagnostic Research.2023;17(9):10-14.doi:10.7860/JCDR/2023/62532.18474.

17. Teshome D. Attitude and Perception of Medical Students Towards Histology Subject at Wollo University, Ethiopia. Adv Med Educ Pract. 2022;13:337-344. doi: 10.2147/AMEP.S359703. PMID: 35469297 PMCID: PMC9034839

18. Taş F. Health sciences students’ viewpoint on innovative approaches in histology course: Innovative approaches in histology course. Journal of Surgery and Medicine. 2022;6(12):981-85. doi:10.28982/josam.7581.

19. Ruan Y, Zhang J, Cai Q, Wang J, Liu G, Liu Y, et al. Evaluation of a prerequisite course of histology implementation for Chinese students of eight-year medical programme: a mixed quantitative survey. BMC Med Educ. 2022;22(1):514. doi: 10.1186/s12909-022-03531-3. PMID: 35778724 PMCID: PMC9248162

20. Gribbin W, Wilson EA, McTaggart S, Hortsch M. Histology education in an integrated, time‐restricted medical curriculum: Academic outcomes and students’ study adaptations. Anat Sci Educ. 2022;15(4):671-684. doi: 10.1002/ase.2127. PMID: 34363740