Formal pathology rotation during obstetrics and gynecology residency: is it beneficial?
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.
McGehee
R P
RP
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson 39216-4505, USA.
Meeks
G R
GR
Davey-Sullivan
B J
BJ
Cowan
B D
BD
Morrison
J C
JC
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