Case Based Learning for Physicians

MedCBL is your portal to case-based learning.

To fill a void in health care education MedCBL provides efficient, high-volume and expertly curated cases that correlate the clinical presentation, with investigations and the final diagnosis.  At each step, users are encouraged to consider the location and nature of the abnormality with built-in guidance only a click away.

You can challenge your diagnostic skills by viewing cases one at a time or you can review cases organized by diagnosis. Either way, MedCBL places you in a streamlined virtual ward or clinic where the pace is yours.  

The first collection we are releasing is NEURO.  It stems from years of expertise and collaboration in Neurosurgery, Medical Imaging and Neuropathology.

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About us Our Vision

To contribute to global health care through on-line learning.

Our Mission

To provide the highest quality, integrated, virtual case-based learning to all learners.

Our Future

The collection of the Neuro cases is just the beginning. Our goal is to work with colleagues to develop and continually populate case-based learning modules for all health care fields.

Who are we Our Founders

Dr. Robert Hammond

Dr. Robert Hammond is a Professor of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine and Clinical Neurological Sciences (CNS) at Western University and former Dean of Admissions at the Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry. He trained at the University of Western Ontario, University of British Columbia, UC San Diego and the University of Pittsburgh. He has practiced, conducted research and taught in the specialty of Neuropathology for over 25 years. Outside the hospital, his time belongs to family and friends, sports, cooking, art and music.

Dr. Andrew Leung

Dr. Andrew Leung is an Associate Professor of Medical Imaging, Clinical Neurological Sciences (CNS) and Otolaryngology at Western University. He trained at Western University, Queen’s University, and Northwestern. He has been in practice for 15 years, and his main academic interests are in resident education, faculty development, brain and head/neck tumour imaging, and spine interventions. Outside the hospital, he can be found in a kayak during the summer or a hockey arena year round.

Dr. Joseph Megyesi

Dr. Joseph Megyesi is a Professor in the Division of Neurosurgery, Department of Clinical Neurological Sciences (CNS) at Western University. He trained at Western University, the University of Alberta and Harvard University. He has practiced neurosurgery, conducted research and taught medical students, neurosurgery residents and neurosurgery fellows for over 20 years. He has a particular interest in continuing professional development. Outside the hospital he enjoys hiking, photography and travel (or some combination of the three).

  • Fun ... practical and efficient

    Let me say from the beginning that my first impression was: these are fun. You don’t experience that a lot with many teaching programs. Each case is displayed in a simple, to the point fashion. The format is uncluttered and the user can quickly grasp the key  information. Clinical histories function as quick introductions to the radiological and pathological challenge. The neuroradiology captures a tractable number of key findings that the viewer makes, and with a single click, can confirm with the short narrative included in the neuroradiological interpretation. With those findings in mind, the user is a single click away from H&E and special stain images necessary for final diagnosis. These are well labeled and at an appropriate power such that it takes less than a minute to discern diagnostic features that are confirmed in one last click. The case format is a practical and efficient means of conveying diagnostic modalities in a combined and complementary fashion. The images are well chosen, crisp and load rapidly. The quick feedback draws in the user, cementing the engagement and motivation to review additional cases.

    Dr. Clayton Wiley
    Chief, Division of Neuropathology, Professor
    University of Pittsburgh Medical Centre

  • Very high quality ... efficient and convenient

    This is just the right combination of technology and educational expertise that will significantly improve the education of trainees at all levels as well as consultants. The cases were of very high quality and assembled in such a way that the person who needs to spend more time can do so, and yet the advanced learner will find the collection remarkably efficient and convenient.

    The design of sequential images followed by (optional) interpretation is excellent and recapitulates the clinical environment … Each step provides an opportunity to pause, tailored to the individual’s own learning speed, to consider possible diagnoses, but of course, in a fraction of the time. 

    Dr. Michael Nicolle
    Chief, Division of Neurology
    London Health Sciences Centre

  • Learning on the go

    “Effective cases delivered in an efficient format means that this app is ideal for learning on the go.  It was also great for exam preparation as it consolidates your prior learning.”

    Dr. Abdul Naeem
    Chief Resident, Neurosurgery
    Western University

  • So practical and well-organized ... an irreplaceable resource

    The individual images are superb, clear, well-selected, expertly annotated and easy to navigate. The user-activated annotations are an excellent feature, making them optional, but very helpful to the observer who needs additional guidance. This is so practical and well-organized in comparison to most other online materials of this nature that I have seen. 
    I suspect that students, residents, fellows and colleagues will find this to be an irreplaceable resource.

    Dr. Subrata Chakrabarti
    Chair, Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Professor
    Western University

  • Exemplary

    I am impressed on the utility of this site for case-based learning and its thoroughness. This resource is appropriate for residents, medical students, and fellows, especially to review disease features clinically, imaging, surgery, and pathology. The combination of quality imaging and pathology along with annotated interpretations seem exemplary, and improved over alternatives that have good medical images or good pathology, but not both.

    Dr. Allan J Fox
    Neuroradiologist, Professor
    University of Toronto

  • Innovative

    A substantial and innovative learning resource for students and postgraduate trainees … an extremely valuable tool for colleagues in our annual pursuit of continuing medical education and professional development credits.

    Dr. Stephen P Lownie
    Neurosurgeon, Professor
    Dalhousie University

  • Uniquely multi-disciplinary educational tool

    I found the collection to be an outstanding educational tool … real world medical cases … allow an accurate yet concise simulation of diagnostic practice.

    To my knowledge, this is a uniquely multi-disciplinary educational tool; I am not aware of any similar collection of cases that allow learners to interpret the radiographic and histologic features of lesions of the CNS in this multi-step, guided way.

    I would welcome the opportunity to formally incorporate the final medCBL-Neuro into postgraduate medical residency training programs and Continuing Professional Development programs across
    Canada.

    Dr. Julia Keith
    Neuropathologist, Associate Professor, University of Toronto
    Chair, Continuing Professional Development, Canadian Association of Neuropathologists

  • Highly effective learning tool

    I believe it has the potential to become a widely used and highly effective learning tool for trainees in, and practitioners of, the various Clinical Neuroscience disciplines. I find your approach through the learning collection “medCBL-Neuro” to be highly innovative and potentially useful to trainees with a broad range of expertise … utilizes web-based technology to optimize the learning experience for a very broad audience.

    Dr. Harry V Vinters
    Neuropathologist, Professor
    University of California Los Angeles