Development of a synergistic case-based microanatomy curriculum.

This paper discusses the development of an interactive approach to teaching and assessing a microanatomy curriculum in an innovative medical school program. As an alternative to lectures and labs, students are engaged in interactive seminars focused on discussion of clinical and research-based cases matched with normal histology and pathology slides. A virtual microscopic system is used rather than the traditional glass slide and light microscope. Evaluation of student performance consists of self-assessment board style questions, concept appraisal problems, and utilization of a portfolio system where the assessment pieces are continuously integrated as part of written formative and summative assessments. (c) 2008 American Association of Anatomists.