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Virtual Microscopes in Podiatric Medical Education

^* Basic Biomedical Sciences, Dr. William M. Scholl College of Podiatric Medicine, Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science, 3333 Green Bay Rd, North Chicago, IL 60064.

Abstract

In many medical schools, microscopes are being replaced as teaching tools by computers with software that emulates the use of a light microscope. This article chronicles the adoption of "virtual microscopes" by a podiatric medical school and presents the results of educational research on the effectiveness of this adoption in a histology course. If the trend toward virtual microscopy in education continues, many 21st-century physicians will not be trained to operate a light microscope. The replacement of old technologies by new is discussed. The fundamental question is whether all podiatric physicians should be trained in the use of a particular tool or only those who are likely to use it in their own practice. (J Am Podiatr Med Assoc 96(6): 518–524, 2006)