PRIORITIES AND EXPECTATIONS IN THE PRACTICAL LEARNING OF HISTOLOGY FOR DENTISTRY AND MEDICINE STUDENTS

Introduction: The practical learning period of the Histology module is taught in different health science degrees applying similar communication processes and contents for different theoretical concepts. In this study, we have compared the theoretical background priorities that Medicine and Dentistry students established in order to success in the practical learning period of their Histology module, together with the expectations of Medicine and Dentistry students in relation to the practical learning of Histology.

Methodololy: In this study, we have analyzed a total of 80 first-year students undertaking Medicine and Dentistry by using a specific questionnaire. It included several questions focused on the theoretical backgrounds that they think they need to success in their histological practical learning period and other questions regarding the main interest topics that the students expect concerning their histological practical learning. Each item was evaluated by the students using a Likert-scale ranging from 1 to 5. We tested the significant statistical differences existing between both degrees using the T-test.

Results: Results showed significant statistical differences between Medicine and Dentistry degrees (p<0.05) in relation to some specific analyzed items. The theoretical background areas needed to success in the practical learning period showed significant differences, with higher scores for Dentistry students choosing embryology, microscopic measurements and units, and histological staining techniques. Regarding the students´ expectations, Medical students expected to identify the histological structures that they studied in theoretical lectures more than Dentistry students. However, the expectations of Dentistry students concerning the observation of stem cells and the success in their practical learning period are higher than those of Medical students.

Conclusions: Our data show different priorities and expectations between Medicine and Dentistry students regarding the practical learning period of the Histology module. While Medical students´ practical learning objectives are to complement the theoretical concepts for their application in the microscopic diagnosis, Dentistry students´ objectives range from the pragmatic improvement of academic commitment to the achievement of innovative findings linked to the research of Histology. These results suggest that Dentistry students link the practical learning Histology to the preparation of histological samples and to the histogenetic development of the tissues and organs, while both degrees link it to the diagnostic identification of the human tissue structures.