Academic PathologyPub Date : 2026-01-01Epub Date: 2026-01-22DOI: 10.1016/j.acpath.2025.100238
Meagan Chambers MD MS MSc , Shera Wanner BS , Charlie M. Sawyer BA , Nicole R. Jackson MD MPH
{"title":"Free for all: Exploring next of kin consent for autopsy","authors":"Meagan Chambers MD MS MSc , Shera Wanner BS , Charlie M. Sawyer BA , Nicole R. Jackson MD MPH","doi":"10.1016/j.acpath.2025.100238","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.acpath.2025.100238","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Autopsy provides critical benefits for patients, families, healthcare systems, and communities by confirming diagnoses, identifying unexpected findings, and improving medical knowledge. Less is known, however, about how autopsy consent is distributed across demographic groups when access barriers are minimized. This study evaluates the socioeconomic trends of autopsy utilization among various race, sex, income, and primary language groups at a large academic institution. A retrospective review of all in-hospital deaths and autopsies was completed for cases from 2018 to 2022. Frequencies of autopsies for race, economic status, sex, and English as a first language were compared to frequencies of in-hospital deaths for these same variables. Of 4626 deaths, 821 autopsies were performed that met the inclusion criteria (a 17.7% autopsy consent rate). Most autopsies were performed on men (n = 489, 59.6%), White (n = 568, 69.2%), non-Hispanic patients (n = 644, 78.4%), and living in-state residents (n = 703, 85.6%). Women, Asians, and nonnative English speakers were less likely to be autopsied; only 5% of autopsies were done for decedents with English as a second language (<em>P</em><0.00001). At an institution with a universal consent policy wherein families are always offered an autopsy at no charge, there was evidence of different utilization rates by sex and first language but not by most racial or ethnic groups. These findings highlight patterns of autopsy utilization in a setting where families are universally offered the procedure at no cost, underscoring differences in consent decisions rather than access.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":44927,"journal":{"name":"Academic Pathology","volume":"13 1","pages":"Article 100238"},"PeriodicalIF":1.3,"publicationDate":"2026-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146023078","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Easing the transition into pathology residency: four years of experience implementing and optimizing an integrated anatomic pathology onboarding course tied to core ACGME competencies","authors":"Dijana Poljak MD , Bronwyn Bryant MD , Bei Zhang MD, PhD , Agnes Balla MD, MHS","doi":"10.1016/j.acpath.2025.100231","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.acpath.2025.100231","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Exposure to the field of Anatomic Pathology continues to be minimal during the medical school years. With the increasing depth of medical knowledge and the diversity of tests performed in the laboratory, incoming residents are often underprepared to fulfill the common clinical and professional responsibilities required by residency. Initially, a course with 16 sessions and later expanded to 24 sessions was designed for incoming pathology trainees spanning from July to August (2021–2024). After feedback from the first year, several sessions were modified and improved including expansion of content on how to dictate reports, populate College of American Pathologists (CAP) cancer synoptic reports, and how to build and use quick texts to increase efficiency. In the most recent iteration of the course, the new Histology Primer series developed by the American Board of Pathology was incorporated. To make this course sustainable in future years and to encourage peer teaching, senior residents were involved in teaching the expanded course content in the second year of this series. Learners completed pre- and post-course objective assessments and a separate course evaluation. The course content was aligned to address 20 of 21 milestones (Version 2) within all 6 Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) competencies.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":44927,"journal":{"name":"Academic Pathology","volume":"13 1","pages":"Article 100231"},"PeriodicalIF":1.3,"publicationDate":"2026-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145884094","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Academic PathologyPub Date : 2026-01-01Epub Date: 2025-12-01DOI: 10.1016/j.acpath.2025.100228
Francisco Reyes-Albaladejo MD , Meredith K. Herman DO , Sara del Río-Ortega MD , Eduardo Alcaraz-Mateos MD, PhD , Kamran Mirza MD, PhD , Luca Cima MD
{"title":"Pathology exposure in Spanish medical schools: a review of forty-one institutions with insights into pathology curriculum for an international approach","authors":"Francisco Reyes-Albaladejo MD , Meredith K. Herman DO , Sara del Río-Ortega MD , Eduardo Alcaraz-Mateos MD, PhD , Kamran Mirza MD, PhD , Luca Cima MD","doi":"10.1016/j.acpath.2025.100228","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.acpath.2025.100228","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Pathology plays a vital role in connecting basic science with clinical medicine, yet it remains a lesser-emphasized specialty in Spanish medical education. This study researched all 41 accredited medical schools in Spain to assess how students are exposed to pathology. Findings revealed considerable variability in the presence and structure of pathology education. Only 41.5 % of the institutions had dedicated pathology departments, though nearly all included histology or anatomic pathology with an average instruction span of one academic year each. Public medical schools generally offered more exposure to pathology than private ones. However, elective opportunities focused on pathology were scarce, and only a small proportion of institutions provided international experiences in the United States. These limitations in exposure, elective options, and global collaboration may contribute to the specialty's low ranking among students selecting residency training programs in Spain. The results highlight the need for greater standardization across curricula and suggest that expanding elective courses, integrating digital pathology tools, and fostering international partnerships could significantly enhance student engagement and interest in pursuing pathology as a career.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":44927,"journal":{"name":"Academic Pathology","volume":"13 1","pages":"Article 100228"},"PeriodicalIF":1.3,"publicationDate":"2026-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145624939","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Whole slide imaging in medical education: A comparative study of learning experience and engagement using cognitive diagnostic modeling","authors":"Mariam Khacheishvili MD, PhD , Alexi Baidoshvili MD, PhD , Nino Tabagari MD, PhD","doi":"10.1016/j.acpath.2025.100232","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.acpath.2025.100232","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Whole slide imaging (WSI) is widely used in clinical and postgraduate pathology training, yet its role in undergraduate medical education remains underexplored—particularly in relation to student engagement, cognitive load, and instructional effectiveness. This study compared whole slide image-based instruction to traditional microphotograph-based methods in UME, focusing on satisfaction, cognitive load, and engagement. A novel approach combining subjective measures and objective behavioral analysis with cognitive diagnostic modeling was applied. A within-subject, mixed-methods design was employed with 51 medical students (2nd–4th year) from two universities. All students participated in both whole slide image and conventional sessions. Data included pre/post questionnaires, satisfaction surveys, cognitive load scales, and video-based engagement analysis. Eight engagement criteria (four cognitive, four behavioral) were objectively coded. The Generalized DINA model in RStudio assessed attribute mastery and item-level performance. WSI instruction improved student perceptions, especially among less experienced learners, with the strongest gains in international 2nd-year students. Satisfaction was high for WSI, particularly in usability and diagnostic clarity. The 4th-year group, while still positive, offered more critical feedback. WSI sessions significantly reduced intrinsic and extraneous cognitive load, supporting more efficient learning. The GDINA modeling showed higher attribute mastery in WSI sessions (87 %–95 %) compared to conventional (68 %–80 %). Discrimination indices exceeded 0.40 for all items, with highest values for active engagement and posture. Model fit and classification accuracy (98.79 %) supported reliability. Whole slide images enhance undergraduate pathology learning by increasing satisfaction, reducing cognitive load, and promoting engagement. Cognitive diagnostic modeling provides a robust framework for evaluating educational interventions.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":44927,"journal":{"name":"Academic Pathology","volume":"13 1","pages":"Article 100232"},"PeriodicalIF":1.3,"publicationDate":"2026-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145884096","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Academic PathologyPub Date : 2025-10-01Epub Date: 2025-10-26DOI: 10.1016/j.acpath.2025.100223
Barbara E.C. Knollmann-Ritschel MD , Julie Katz Karp MD , Stephanie Barak MD , John M. Childs MD , Kristen Johnson PhD , Amanda Lofgreen MS , Mary P. Berg MD , Satyapal Chahar MD , Hailey L. Gosnell MD , Cindy B. McCloskey MD , Balaram Puligandla MD , Kristie L. White MD , Bronwyn Bryant MD
{"title":"Perceived gaps in preparation for pathology residency and opportunities for improvement","authors":"Barbara E.C. Knollmann-Ritschel MD , Julie Katz Karp MD , Stephanie Barak MD , John M. Childs MD , Kristen Johnson PhD , Amanda Lofgreen MS , Mary P. Berg MD , Satyapal Chahar MD , Hailey L. Gosnell MD , Cindy B. McCloskey MD , Balaram Puligandla MD , Kristie L. White MD , Bronwyn Bryant MD","doi":"10.1016/j.acpath.2025.100223","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.acpath.2025.100223","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The transition from medical school to residency is both a transformative and a challenging process. International literature suggests that there are known or perceived gaps in preparation for residency training in many areas of medicine. However, in the current published literature, there is no discussion of perceived gaps existing in pathology residency preparation. This study surveyed both pathology residency program directors and first-year pathology residents about the knowledge of pathology and basic medical skills residents received in medical school, perceptions about readiness for pathology residency, and perceived gaps in preparation for pathology residency that could be addressed. This survey found that program directors perceived that residents were more prepared for pathology residency than the residents felt themselves to be. Pathology program directors and residents both perceived that knowledge of normal histology was a weakness. Program directors were significantly more likely than residents to report that weaknesses in the preparation for pathology residency included challenges common to the majority of newly graduated physicians including in gathering pertinent clinical history from the medical record, struggles in identifying system failures, and contributing to a culture of safety, as well as specific challenges for pathology including limitations in basic microscope use. Suggested efforts toward improving preparation for pathology residency could be accomplished through undergraduate and graduate medical education approaches, as well as with increased support from pathology professional organizations.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":44927,"journal":{"name":"Academic Pathology","volume":"12 4","pages":"Article 100223"},"PeriodicalIF":1.3,"publicationDate":"2025-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145415659","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Academic PathologyPub Date : 2025-10-01Epub Date: 2025-11-03DOI: 10.1016/j.acpath.2025.100227
Sarah Mohamed BSc , Casey P. Schukow DO , Jennifer Worthy MD , Dennis Strenk BS , Nicole R. Jackson MD, MPH , Sanam Loghavi MD , Xiaoyin Sara Jiang MD , Andrew M. Bellizzi MD , Michael A. Arnold MD, PhD
{"title":"Pathology podcasts: a growing educational tool","authors":"Sarah Mohamed BSc , Casey P. Schukow DO , Jennifer Worthy MD , Dennis Strenk BS , Nicole R. Jackson MD, MPH , Sanam Loghavi MD , Xiaoyin Sara Jiang MD , Andrew M. Bellizzi MD , Michael A. Arnold MD, PhD","doi":"10.1016/j.acpath.2025.100227","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.acpath.2025.100227","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Podcasts serve as an easy, affordable, and on-the-go experience for listeners of all types, particularly those casually broaching a new subject they are interested in learning more about. Podcasting as a tool for pathology education has had a growing reach for several years, and has gained traction as an academic work product for medical education, promoting journals and articles, and attracting trainees to pathology. Yet, there is sparse academic literature reviewing the topic. In this article, we aim to provide a qualitative synthesis of peer-reviewed and other online sources, with objectives including introducing podcasting, reviewing its role in medical education, and exploring issues unique to pathology. National podcasting trends, advantages, and limitations of podcasts in pathology will be covered. Additionally, a comprehensive list of pathology podcasts, quantitative analysis of select podcast downloads, and practical steps for pathologists interested in creating their own podcasts will also be provided.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":44927,"journal":{"name":"Academic Pathology","volume":"12 4","pages":"Article 100227"},"PeriodicalIF":1.3,"publicationDate":"2025-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145465473","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Academic PathologyPub Date : 2025-10-01Epub Date: 2025-10-08DOI: 10.1016/j.acpath.2025.100226
Chen Mayer MD, MHA
{"title":"Understanding stigma and public perception of pathology: a public relations perspective","authors":"Chen Mayer MD, MHA","doi":"10.1016/j.acpath.2025.100226","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.acpath.2025.100226","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Pathology is an essential medical specialty, underpinning disease diagnosis, management, and research. Despite its indispensable contributions to healthcare, pathology remains a misunderstood and underappreciated field in the public sphere, often burdened by stigma and misconceptions. Many associate pathology primarily with forensic autopsies or laboratory work disconnected from direct patient care. These misconceptions adversely impact recruitment into the specialty and diminish public appreciation of pathologists' integral role in patient management and healthcare innovation. This article explores the sources of stigma and outlines a strategic framework for improving public perception through targeted public relations initiatives. Key strategies include public education campaigns, leveraging digital media, celebrating achievements, amplifying pathology's visibility in interdisciplinary collaborations, and engaging medical students early in their training. By demystifying pathology and fostering understanding, these efforts can reshape its societal relevance, strengthen recruitment, and ensure that the field thrives as a cornerstone of modern medicine.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":44927,"journal":{"name":"Academic Pathology","volume":"12 4","pages":"Article 100226"},"PeriodicalIF":1.3,"publicationDate":"2025-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145266148","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}