Innovative Learning Digital Techniques in Veterinary Pathology

Veterinary Medicine Education has to continuously adapt to the evolving demands of the profession by integrating adult learning principles, innovative strategies, and appropriate pedagogical frameworks. This study explored the application of innovative learning digital techniques (DT) in the General Veterinary Pathology (GVP) courses, assessing their impact on learning, engagement, and student perceptions. At our university, veterinary students reported overall satisfaction with actual teaching methods in GVP, but highlighted ambiguities in exam questions, suggesting improvements in assessment design and the inclusion of dynamic visual resources. In response, two serious games were developed, based on canine viral nervous system infections and bovine viral respiratory infections. Furthermore, Blended learning (BL), introduced in the GVP course of a bachelor’s degree, was positively received, associated with improved self-directed learning, higher passing rates, and better average grades compared to traditional approaches, although limited by small sample sizes and in exam attendance. In necropsy training, during the GVP master’s program, Virtual Reality Necropsy (VNR) provided a safe, cost-effective, and accessible complement to the Real Necropsy Room (RNR), which remains indispensable for authenticity and student preference for learning. The combined use of VNR and RNR appears the optimal strategy for necropsy education. A conceptual seven-step model, “PENSIVE,” was proposed to support deep learning skills necessary for accurate and thorough post mortem examination. In cytology courses, our results highlight the effectiveness and satisfaction of Digital Cytology (DC) as the primary or complementary teaching method, and that could also enhance assessment performance compared to Light Microscopy (LM). It is important to integrate and not completely replace traditional learning method, because LM as it remains a common tool in daily veterinary practice. Overall, findings indicate that DT and innovative strategies enhance veterinary pathology education by complementing, rather than replacing, traditional methods. Their integration promotes engagement, deeper learning, and greater professional competence in future professionals.