Whole-slide imaging enhances veterinary pathology education of cytology and hematology submission practices.

Hands-on whole-slide imaging training improves veterinary students' confidence and competence in cytology and hematology specimen submission.

This study evaluated the integration of whole-slide imaging (WSI) technology into veterinary pathology education, specifically focusing on cytology and hematology specimen submission practices. A cohort of 251 clinical veterinary students participated in an experiential learning activity where they actively scanned glass slides using a commercial digital slide scanner and submitted cases to a remote pathologist for interpretation. Pre- and post-activity surveys assessed student confidence, motivation, and knowledge. Results demonstrated significant improvements across multiple domains following the WSI experience. Students reported increased confidence in providing clinically relevant information to pathologists, understanding WSI utility and limitations, interpreting essential report components, and preparing specimens for submission in clinical practice. Motivation to provide complete and relevant information to pathologists also increased post-activity. Notably, students showed improved accuracy in recognizing incomplete submission forms, directly addressing a common source of preanalytical errors. The majority of participants rated the overall experience as good to excellent. Traditional WSI educational applications are typically limited to passive slide interpretation; this study demonstrates the added value of incorporating the full submission workflow, including scanning, into the educational experience. By exposing future clinicians to technology they are likely to encounter in general practice while simultaneously reinforcing proper submission protocols, this approach addresses preanalytical error reduction at an early career stage. The findings support broader incorporation of hands-on WSI activities into veterinary pathology curricula to improve specimen submission quality and clinical communication skills.

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