Integrating Histology in the Medical Curriculum

Transition from a freestanding Cell and Tissue Biology (histology) course to participation within an integrated curriculum has its challenges. As material from a single course becomes fragmented into several academic units across different years, there is a loss in appreciation of the structural continuum from cells to tissue to organs. The change in impact from a stand‐alone course to a minor component of academic units affects the value students place on study time and perceived impact on exams. In our experience, these factors have lead to a devaluation of the importance histology plays in the medical curriculum. This is realized in reduced student attendance at scheduled labs and their preference for an abbreviated overview session over a more active learning lab experience. As a faculty, we are challenged to create a valued experience in a very crowed curriculum.