title: A novel program for clinical pathology training for residents emphasizing high-impact and attending-level learning opportunities.
abstract: Clinical pathology (CP) rotations in our residency program consistently received lower evaluations and lower scores on the Resident In-Service Exam (RISE) in comparison to anatomic pathology rotations. In 2010 to 2011, we instituted a new model for CP training, wherein the separate rotations for chemistry, transfusion medicine, molecular diagnostics, microbiology, and coagulation/immunology were combined into a 3-month "Superblock" in an effort to maximize and repeat high-impact learning opportunities in a team-based model. Resident and faculty satisfaction with the new curriculum and RISE scores were assessed in the 3 years before and after implementation of the curriculum. Large majorities of residents and faculty expressed increased satisfaction with the curriculum. Average RISE scores increased 8.3% in CP in the 3 years following introduction of the curriculum compared to the 3 years prior to introduction, while anatomic pathology average scores decreased by 1.5%. The CP Superblock provides a model of CP education which may address some of the difficulties in teaching CP topics and recruiting residents to CP specialization. The pros and cons of its implementation are discussed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, WI, 53792. Electronic address: earanheim@wisc.edu.
authors.forename: Erik A
authors.initials: EA
authors.lastname: Ranheim
mesh_terms: D003479:Curriculum; D006801:Humans; D007396:Internship and Residency; D007858:Learning; D010338:Pathology, Clinical / Q000193:education*; D057089:Pathology, Molecular / Q000193:education; D064826:Transfusion Medicine / Q000193:education
keywords: Clinical pathology; Management; Molecular diagnostics; Residency