The status of residency training in cytopathology

✍ Scribed by Michael B. Cohen; Nuria Perez-Reyes; Amy C. Stoloff

• Publisher: John Wiley and Sons
• Year: 1995
• Tongue: English
• Weight: 213 KB
• Volume: 12
• Category: Article
• ISSN: 8755-1039
• DOI: 10.1002/dc.2840120222

✦ Synopsis

Historically, there was a dramatic leap between June 30, when the resident finished her/his training, and July 1, when she/he began her/his new job. In an effort to narrow this gap, graded responsibility of residents is being readdressed by several groups, including the Papanicolaou Society of Pathology.

At the 1993 meeting of the American Society for Cytology (ASC), one of the panel luncheons addressed the issue of residency training in cytopathology. Different aspects of this issue were addressed by us, including perspectives from a director of cytopathology training, a resident, and a pathologist in practice. The issue has been variably addressed in the past.

Several changes have occurred, however, over the past several years which warrant a new look at this topic. These changes include the institution of a cytopathology fellowship training program through the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME), increasing importance of cytology in patient care, and the changing health care environment, i.e., health care reform.

In June 1991 the ACGME set forth specific requirements for residency training in cytopathology. These included a directed educational structure with both academic (e.g., conferences, sign out) as well as clinical components. It is expected that residents review approximately 1,500 specimens during their training period with an appropriate case mix. Although no minimum time requirement for cytology was set forth, it was recommended that a concentrated block of time be utilized for the residency training in cytology with, ideally, a second shorter rotation at a more senior level at which time the resident could be given more responsibility. The actual ACGME review form for cytopathology lists the following features