Introduction

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.

Return to top of page

Pathway Director and Site Coordinator:
Drexel University College of Medicine
Cheryl A. Hanau, M.D.
(215) 991-8185 Phone
ch48@drexel.edu

Coordinator: Heather McLaughlin
(215) 991-8518 Phone
(215) 843-7738 Fax
hgm28@drexel.edu
Queen Lane, Room C9G

Return to top of page

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.

Return to top of page

Required Courses

Emergency Medicine Subinternship
Emergency Medicine Subinternship is required by the University as a senior year course. During this course we would expect that the student will learn the principles of rapid assessment and stabilization of critically ill and injured patients; learn the initial evaluation and management of the wide range of undifferentiated patient complaints in the Emergency Department; gain skills, specialized examination technique and real-time interpretation of diagnostic studies; participate in common and more advanced procedures.

Required Subinternship Objectives: Pathology Pathway students may select a required Medicine Subinternship, OB/GYN Subinternship, Pediatric Subinternship or Surgery Subinternship.
By the end of the rotation learners will be able to:

1. Take ownership of their patients and be the primary point person regarding their care.
2. Demonstrate the ability to care for patients with increasing independence while seeking help when appropriate
3. Handle the daily tasks of an intern including preparing for rounds, presenting on rounds, interprofessional knowledge and communication skills, and patient interactions, histories and physicals, note writing of all varieties, and sign-out in a proficient and efficient manner.
4. Apply their knowledge towards diagnosis and management of common acute complaints and chronic conditions, creating care plans and communicating with consultants as necessary.
5. Perform general procedures through demonstration of the necessary preparation and key issues required for the performance of procedures, including understanding patient-specific factors, indications, contraindications, risks, benefits, and alternatives. 
6. Demonstrate reliable mechanical skills in performing procedures in most situations and knows when to seek help for procedures or situations beyond the learner’s abilities.
7. Perform safe transitions of care, coordination of care, and discharge planning.

Anatomic Pathology and/or Laboratory Medicine Rotation

If scheduling at an Away elective, please obtain approval of desired Away rotation from Pathway Director.

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/or Cytopathology. 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.

Laboratory Medicine generally consists of experiences in the divisions of Hematology and Transfusion Medicine. 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 useful to students. The elective will afford the student the opportunity for an in-depth experience in one of the areas initially encountered in the survey course.

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.

Return to top of page

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.

Return to top of page

Evaluation of the Student
The student's performance in each rotation will be evaluated by supervising physicians, and residents when appropriate, using the standard Drexel University College of Medicine clinical evaluation form. Students not receiving a grade of satisfactory or higher will be counseled and provided with remediation.

Evaluation of 4th year Courses
Upon completion of each rotation, students are encouraged to complete the end-of-rotation evaluation form in DOCSS. Students have the opportunity to provide feedback on the rotation as well as on specific faculty (and residents) with whom they worked in DOCSS. All feedback is de-identified.

Evaluation of the Pathway
Students are encouraged to complete an end-of-year Pathway evaluation for the Pathway. The feedback from this evaluation will help in advising future students more effectively.

Return to top of page

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.

Return to top of page