Surgical Pathology

Catalog Description:  The student participates in all activities of surgical pathology including specimen examination at both gross and microscopic level, reporting the findings of these examinations, conferences, and autopsies. The student will also complete a literature review which will culminate in a brief oral presentation to the department at the end of the rotation. The focus is on learning the workflow of an Anatomic Pathology Department. 

The student will be assigned to a resident or Pathologists’ Assistant who will closely supervise and instruct the student in all departmental activities. The attending pathologist will instruct and closely supervise the student in the microscopic examination and reporting of specimens.

The student will use computer based self instructional materials to review basic histopathologic processes and to become oriented in the use of the department's computerized reporting system.

The student will typically alternate performing gross examination and microscopic sign-out in an ongoing two day rotation. This allows for seeing each specimen both in the gross state and as a microscopic specimen.

Syllabus

Sites:  

View site addresses by clicking on the site name below or visiting the site codes table.

Required session attendance:

Typical weekly schedule/Delivery Mode:  M-F, 8:00am-5:00pm, no night or weekend assignments

Direct patient care:  No

Consent Requirement: Arranged. Please submit a request to schedule using the form linked below.

LAMP Arranged Electives Form

Course Objectives:  By the end of this rotation, students will be able to:

• describe the operation of a surgical pathology department in a hospital setting.
• describe how specimens are obtained, preserved, examined, processed, diagnosed, and reported.
• identify the components of a surgical pathology report and what are acceptable turnaround times for patient reports.
• identify special techniques that are available to the surgical pathologist.
• recognize some of the most common pathologic lesions of the dermatologic, gastrointestinal, gynecologic and musculoskeletal systems.
• assess their interest in pathology as a specialty.

Graded Components:

• Regular attendance
• Participation in conferences and discussions
• Supervisor Assessment of competency in the gross examination, processing and reporting of Pathology specimens
• End of rotation presentation
• Professionalism in interactions with faculty, staff and patients

Grading Scale:  H/E/S/N

Allow repetition of course: Repetition not allowed

Course equivalency:  Does not apply