title: Formal pathology rotation during obstetrics and gynecology residency: is it beneficial?
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Our objective was to assess the educational benefits of a formal pathology rotation during an obstetrics and gynecology residency program and to determine the utility of this information in clinical practice.
  
  
  METHODS
  In this descriptive study, the benefits of a 2-month rotation in pathology for obstetrics and gynecology residents were analyzed. A computerized listing of surgical cases processed by each resident was sent to the obstetrics and gynecology program director.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Our resident accessioned 5.4% of the total pathology cases processed each month. Reports from previous residents (over a 17-year period) and from program directors at the annual educational retreat indicate that such information was not relevant to our graduates in their clinical practice.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  A formal pathology rotation for obstetric residents can improve knowledge base, but the usefulness of this knowledge in clinical practice is dubious.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson 39216-4505, USA.
authors.forename: R P
authors.initials: RP
authors.lastname: McGehee
authors.forename: G R
authors.initials: GR
authors.lastname: Meeks
authors.forename: B J
authors.initials: BJ
authors.lastname: Davey-Sullivan
authors.forename: B D
authors.initials: BD
authors.lastname: Cowan
authors.forename: J C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Morrison
mesh_terms: D003479:Curriculum; D006176:Gynecology / Q000193:education*; D006801:Humans; D007396:Internship and Residency / Q000379:methods*; D009774:Obstetrics / Q000193:education*; D010338:Pathology, Clinical / Q000193:education*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires