The Hospital del Mar features a virtual microscope of last generation for the training of future professionals of the medicine.

-samples of tissue scanning helps students self-education and tutoring at a distance. They have access to more amount of information, especially in exceptional cases samples, thus enriching their learning in pathology

Spain, 2011-September the Hospital del Mar has incorporated a new team of microscopy which manages different platforms of virtual images. The program combines a team of scanning of histological and cytological preparations to 400 increases with high resolution, even can reach 1,000 increases, allowing virtually working with an image as if it were to the microscope. This system has a first teaching purpose. The students, from home, can check a particular histological preparation and all related information, including radiological and macroscopic images, as well as all kinds of complementary techniques. There is a library with reference images, an atlas where the cases are classified and the teacher can create online courses and tests. This versatility in the management also allows to improve agility in the consultation of the information. Now, through a simultaneous connection, you can create virtual sessions in which the consultant has access to the information immediately and speeds up the process of diagnosis. The Hospital del Mar is one of the European pioneers in incorporating this technology for teaching purposes, along with two French centres and one central European.

This program, called Aurora Interactive, has been developed by McGill University of Montreal (Canada) and is an interactive teaching tool that has many other potential applications in courses in anatomy, histology, radiology, as well as courses in clinical setting. On the other hand, the aperio scans whole system sample tissue to be analyzed with a goal of 20, 40, 63 x, multiplied by the eye increases just allowing 400-360 increases which allows the virtual microscope, obtaining a reproduction of the sample comprised of small pictures in high resolution. “this program reads any histological digitized reproduction”. We can study the preparation to large increase without is pixele and with precise control of the camp where we are. Gets more quantity and quality of information because it does not act as a zoom, but as a powerful microscope. “As a result, can move through the reproduction of the preparation much more limiting analysis” explains Dr. Sergi Serrano, Chief of the service of pathology and responsibility for teaching of the Parc de Salut MAR.

Thanks to this new equipment, unique Spain educational purposes, the formation of the student of pathology has given a big step toward excellence. Now, teaching combines both the use of the analog conventional microscope and virtual microscopic system. “The information of pathological anatomy is very complex, so using virtual microscopy we ensure quality training.” Before, the teacher had to go through each microscope to keep track of the observation of the student. In addition, there were only a limited number of copies of the samples. Now, the new system allows you to make a much more careful monitoring. The teacher makes sure that is identifying the student through each monitor. We find that there has been a simplification of the process but it carries a great enrichment for students. The new management of the virtual microscope does not limit your skills with a conventional microscope. The purpose of the course is to acquire competence in the diagnosis of pathological anatomy. “The student already has other spaces to develop their skills with a conventional microscope”, says Dr. Serrano. The scanning of the new agenda system gives access to tissue samples of rare cases which, in other circumstances, could not be so as not to damage them. “The student has the opportunity of easy access to many samples of pathology.” You can now access more complex images and treat only cases. “Soon became a certain number of copies with the biopsy sample of the patient, by limiting its practical use”, continues Dr. Serrano. The new scan program also offers teaching collections both for pathology residents and residents of other specialties that allowed both the self-education as the tutoring at a distance.

Another application of the virtual microscope is its ability to store samples. In the case of some preparations of glass with a given weight is necessary to think of an alternative to the physical limitations of passive files. On the other hand, the interconsultation is another direct application of the virtual microscope which opens a path to telemedicine. The new system exceeds the physical and technical constraints that had so far. “Before, the sample is called distance through a camera incorporating a microscope.” Now, this new tool is more promising. There is a simultaneous connection between the doctor and the consultant and you can create virtual working sessions in real-time, facilitating and expediting the consultations “.

“The Hospital del Mar and the teaching of pathological anatomy

The Mar Hospital is a teaching hospital focused on medical research; He attends pathologies of medium and high complexity and develops projects that apply science daily to the health of the people it serves. The hospital is a health institution with an integral formative offer ranging from vocational to university degrees and the formation of medical specialties, people and knowledge to be two capitals of the utmost importance to the institution, and for this reason, Hospital del Mar offers all resources to preserve them and promote them.

In this context, the pathology service is key to improving the quantity and quality of clinical screening. It is one of the central services posed a fundamental pillar of the Hospital. The analytical, samples of all kinds, surgical handpieces, pass through this service any organ, tissue, fluid body has a space, both diagnostic and therapeutic for research purposes. Alterations or cellular injury of tissues and organs and its structural and functional impact on the body, determining in the detection of possible diseases are being explored.