PA501.23
Clinical Clerkship in Pathology
Sites: BWH
Director(s): Erik Alexander, Eleanor Russell-Goldman
Prerequisites: HMS Principal Clinical Experience (Core Clinical Clerkships) or equivalent
Offered: Full time every month.
Location: BWH - Brigham and Women's Hospital (23)
Open to Exclerks: US/Canadian
Description: The month-long elective at Brigham and Women’s Hospital is designed to give senior medical students an educational experience in anatomic pathology. Students spend one week in general surgical pathology, following specimens as they are processed for frozen section consultation, gross pathology and histopathology. The remaining time is spent on pathology subspecialty services. The schedule is individualized to fit the student’s areas of interest, and opportunities are available in a wide array of diagnostic subspecialties, including but not limited to dermatopathology, gynecologic pathology and molecular diagnostics. Participation in autopsies is available for interested students. Interactive and individualized microscopic teaching sessions are provided, and students may join in daily educational didactic conferences in the department. Students will have daily interactions with pathology residents, staff and faculty. Students have an option to prepare a presentation or short article on a pathology topic of their choice at the end of the rotation.
Incorporation of Basic Science Content and Evidence-Based Medicine:
The pathologic basis of disease is an integral part of medicine and is incorporated into daily clinical practice through discussion of the impact of diagnosis on patient care and integration of scientific evidence into clinical interpretation. Students who choose to prepare a presentation or article will review the current literature to address how scientific evidence is used to understand disease biology and/or improve patient care.
Grade Criteria:
Honors with Distinction: Presents at least one case at pathology sign out with relevant clinical history, gross findings, and microscopic differential diagnosis. Actively participates in departmental activities and is prepared for teaching sessions. Displays helpfulness on the pathology service beyond what is expected from a medical student. Completes a presentation or short article at the end of the rotation. Honors: Presents at least one case at pathology sign out with relevant clinical history, gross findings, and microscopic differential diagnosis. Actively participates in departmental activities and is prepared for teaching sessions. Satisfactory: Attends pathology sign out. Participates in departmental activities and attends teaching sessions. Unsatisfactory: Fails to participate in a professional manner or has unexcused absences from scheduled events.