General Pathology Rotation (an overview of Anatomic and Clinical Pathology). 2 Credit Hours

Catalog description

Pathologists play many roles in medicine. Roles range from interpreting surgical biopsies to supervising clinical laboratory testing. It has been estimated that 70% of all medical decisions are based on data generated by pathology departments. This elective is designed to introduce the student to the practice of pathology and the role of the pathologist in diagnosis and management, and will provide exposure to several subspecialty areas within the pathology department. This rotation is intended either for those interested in pathology as a career, and those interested in broadening their understanding of pathology in general, or in relation to their chosen field. This two or four week elective will expose the medical student to the fields of Anatomic and Clinical Pathology including surgical pathology, cytopathology, autopsy pathology, hematopathology, transfusion medicine, and microbiology. In anatomic pathology, students will have the opportunity to partake a range of experiences, including supervised observation or active participation of prosection of surgical specimens, microscopic evaluations, frozen section evaluations, participate and observe in immediate adequacy assessment of samples for image guided fine needle aspirations/ core needle biopsies and participate in autopsy procedures as available. In clinical pathology, the student will participate in the diagnosis of blood and bone marrow disorders, transfusion reaction evaluation and provision of blood, among other experiences. In general, students will attend: 1) an introductory guided tour of clinical and anatomic laboratories/departments with an overview of diagnostic testing and methods, 2) required lectures and teaching sessions 3) and at least 2 multidisciplinary case conferences (tumor boards). At the end of the rotation, students are expected to deliver a 10-20 minute presentation at the clinical pathology conference (laboratory medicine conference) and/or the anatomic pathology grand rounds conference. Open for Cross Enrollment on Space Available Basis.