We found a match
Your institution may have access to this item. Find your institution then sign in to continue.
- Title
The impact of a brief clinical experience in pathology on medical student interest and understanding of careers in pathology.
- Authors
Rafiq, Rumana; Dow, Todd; Hatchette, Jill; Arnason, Thomas
- Abstract
Introduction: There is a shortage of pathologists in Canada. With only 1-3% of medical students pursuing a pathology residency, this trend is predicted to continue. Studies have shown that students tend not to consciously reject pathology as a career, but rather fail to recognize it as an option. Current approaches to introducing medical students to pathology careers are not well reported. This study assessed student interest and understanding of pathology careers, before and after the Pre-clerkship Residency Exploration Program (PREP) elective at Dalhousie University. Methods: Forty second-year medical students participate in PREP, a two-week elective that highlights multiple specialties, one of which is pathology. Pathology content in the program includes a half day job-shadowing a pathologist, a half day hospital-based pathology workshop, and a resident career/lifestyle discussion panel. Students' knowledge, attitudes, and behaviours towards pathology careers were assessed using pre- and post-program questionnaires. Results: Thirty-seven students completed the surveys. There was a significant improvement in students' understanding of the daily responsibilities of a pathologist (p <0.01). Students also reported that PREP provided sufficient exposure to the specialty, which allowed them to decide on whether to pursue a pathology residency (p <0.01). There was no evidence that the experience changed student attitudes or behaviours towards actually choosing a pathology residency. Conclusions: The brief introduction to the clinical practice of pathology through PREP may not improve student recruitment to the specialty, as it did not change students' career preferences. However, this short clinical elective is impactful as it improved students' understanding of pathology careers.
- Publication
Canadian Journal of Pathology, 2021, Vol 13, Issue 4, p34
- ISSN
1918-915X
- Publication type
Academic Journal