Pathology and Laboratory Medicine Pathway
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Pathology and Laboratory Medicine Pathway |
The Pathology and Laboratory Medicine discipline-based pathway is intended for those fourth-year medical students interested in pursuing a career in pathology. Suggested elective courses as described below have been selected based on their close affiliation with Pathology or their contribution to a greater understanding of disease processes.
Pathway Director and Site Coordinator:
Drexel
University COM
Cheryl A. Hanau, M.D.
Department of Pathology
Broad & Vine, Mail Stop 435
Philadelphia, PA 19102-1192
(215) 762-8375 Phone
(215) 246-5918 Fax
cheryl.hanau@drexel.edu
Coordinator: Cheryl Simpson
(215) 762-6247 Phone
(215) 246-5918 Fax
The Pathology and Laboratory Medicine Pathway has been constructed
to:
Provide the student with an opportunity to gain an understanding of
the roles and functions of the pathologist in the various service
areas of Anatomic Pathology and Laboratory Medicine through a survey
course.
Provide the student with the opportunity for a concentrated elective experience in a Pathology subspecialty through arrangement with the Pathway Director.
Allow the student, through suggested electives in medical and surgical subspecialties to observe and participate in the close interaction between pathologists and clinicians, with an emphasis on the consultant role of the pathologist in patient management.
Click here to link to summary table of Pathology Pathway
Anatomic Pathology and Laboratory Medicine Rotation
This rotation consists of experiences in both the Anatomic
and Clinical Laboratory areas of the department so that the student
can become aware of and participate in the broad range of Pathology
practice in an academic medical center.
The disciplines of Anatomic Pathology are explored through close interaction with faculty and residents with responsibilities in the divisions of Surgical Pathology, Autopsy Pathology and Cytopathology. Each student will rotate through all three of these areas. The student will observe and with proper supervision, take part in the gross examination and handling of surgical pathology specimens (including frozen section examination), in the dissection of autopsies and in daily microscopic review of surgical pathology and cytology specimens. The student will become acquainted with the role of the diagnostic Anatomic Pathologist in patient care.
The Laboratory Medicine component of the rotation consists of experiences in the divisions of Hematology/Coagulation/Urinalysis, Transfusion Medicine, Microbiology and Chemistry/Toxicology. Each student will rotate through all four of these areas. The student will observe and with proper supervision, take part in the analysis and sign-out of specimens in the various divisions. The consultative role of the Clinical Pathologist will be emphasized.
Pathology Subspecialty Elective Rotations
Electives in each of the seven Pathology subspecialty areas
(Surgical Pathology, Autopsy Pathology, Cytopathology, Microbiology,
Clinical Chemistry, Hematology and Transfusion Medicine) are offered
to students by arrangement with the Pathway director. The elective
will afford the student the opportunity for an in-depth experience in
one of the areas initially encountered in the survey course. The
student will attend all activities of the selected area and will be
expected to interact with laboratory professionals, faculty and
residents at a level of a junior Pathology Resident rotating through
the area.
Medicine or Pediatric Subspecialty Elective Rotation
An elective rotation in a medicine or pediatric subspecialty
field which features the obtaining of specimens for
histologic/cytologic/microbiologic evaluation is suggested so the
student in the Pathology and Laboratory Medicine pathway can be part
of the close interaction between the various laboratories and the
clinical team. The medicine and pediatric subspecialty fields of
Infectious Disease, Hematology/Oncology, Pulmonary Medicine and
Gastroenterology are examples of areas providing this
opportunity.
General Surgery or Surgical Subspecialty Elective
Rotation
An elective rotation in general surgery or a surgery
subspecialty field which features the obtaining of specimens for
histologic/cytologic/microbiologic evaluation is suggested so that
the student in the Pathology and Laboratory Medicine pathway can be
part of the close interaction between the various laboratories and
the clinical team. The fields of general surgery and the surgical
subspecialties of Urology, Otolaryngology and Gynecologic Oncology
are examples of areas providing this opportunity.
Each section of the laboratory is well stocked with the appropriate textbooks, many study sets and Check Sample materials available for student study and review. Additionally, the conference schedule in both Anatomic Pathology and Laboratory Medicine is quite extensive and students on the rotations are welcome to attend any departmental conference in addition to those which may be required while completing a specific component of the rotation.
Evaluation of the Student
The student's performance in the Anatomic Pathology and
Laboratory Medicine course and in Pathology Subspecialty electives
will be evaluated by the supervising attending and may include
consultation with collaborating residents and other laboratory
personnel who are familiar with the student's participation and
involvement in the activities of the rotation.
The evaluation form used is a version of the standard Senior Student Clinical Rotation Composite Report with modifications to the clinical competence section to more accurately reflect the content of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine rotations.
Student Evaluation of the Rotations
At the conclusion of the rotations offered by the Department
of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, all students will be strongly
encouraged to evaluate various components of the rotation including
diversity, quality and quantity of material available for study, and
quality and quantity of conferences. Student evaluation of the
faculty and residents in the Department is also solicited.
Administration
of the Pathway
The Pathway Director will be responsible for oversight of
the Pathology and Laboratory Medicine Pathway and the students
enrolled in the pathway.
An intradepartmental committee composed of the Department Chair, the Chief of the Anatomic Pathology Division and the Chief of the Laboratory Medicine Division will assist the Pathway Director in the provision of advice in elective selection, and monitoring and review of academic progress of students enrolled in the Pathway.
This committee will also assist the Pathway Director in the development, implementation and continuous evaluation of fourth-year rotations being offered by the Department and participate in the evaluation of and responses to student feedback gathered at the end of each rotation.