Academic PathologyPub Date : 2025-04-01DOI: 10.1016/j.acpath.2025.100169
Kellie Mullany BS , Barbara Masi PhD , Jaya G. Yodh PhD , Imanni Sheppard PhD , Grace Park MD , Samar A. Hegazy MD, PhD, MEHP
{"title":"Linking the social determinants of health and disease process using concept mapping in pre-clerkship problem-based learning courses: a pilot study","authors":"Kellie Mullany BS , Barbara Masi PhD , Jaya G. Yodh PhD , Imanni Sheppard PhD , Grace Park MD , Samar A. Hegazy MD, PhD, MEHP","doi":"10.1016/j.acpath.2025.100169","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.acpath.2025.100169","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The Social Determinants of Health significantly impact patient care, and understanding their role in the disease process and patient management is essential to high-quality healthcare. Several barriers exist to integrating social determinants of health into medical curricula, including the lack of consensus on evidence-based teaching methods. In this context, our study investigated the impact of integrating social determinants of health into pre-clerkship problem-based learning courses using concept mapping on the clinical problem-solving process. Fourteen pre-clerkship medical students voluntarily participated and were randomly assigned to control and experimental groups. The experimental group education intervention included two problem-based cases with social determinants of health-informed probes to promote linking those determinants to the disease process and develop a treatment plan using concept mapping. The control group participated in the same cases without the education intervention. Students in both groups completed post-session assignments that included two new cases, individual concept maps, and recorded reflections. Concept maps were scored using a scoring rubric. The scores of both groups were compared using the Mann-Whitney <em>U</em> test. Recorded reflections and concept maps were analyzed using reflexive thematic analysis coding method. Quantitative data analysis showed that the experimental group received significantly higher scores than the control group. Qualitative data analysis highlighted substantial differences in clinical problem-solving approaches. The control group’s clinical reasoning approach focused mainly on the clinical aspects of the case. The experimental group followed a social determinants of health-informed clinical reasoning approach to patient-centered treatment plans with balanced therapeutic/nontherapeutic elements.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":44927,"journal":{"name":"Academic Pathology","volume":"12 2","pages":"Article 100169"},"PeriodicalIF":1.2,"publicationDate":"2025-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144069949","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 : 2025-04-01DOI: 10.1016/j.acpath.2025.100177
A. Aravind, N. Kaur, B. Khan, W. Cavett, V. Manucha
{"title":"Utility of ThinPreps in Enhancing Diagnostic Precision of Fine Needle Aspiration (FNA) Samples from Lymph Nodes","authors":"A. Aravind, N. Kaur, B. Khan, W. Cavett, V. Manucha","doi":"10.1016/j.acpath.2025.100177","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.acpath.2025.100177","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":44927,"journal":{"name":"Academic Pathology","volume":"12 2","pages":"Article 100177"},"PeriodicalIF":1.2,"publicationDate":"2025-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144230972","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 : 2025-04-01DOI: 10.1016/j.acpath.2025.100173
A.F. Schurr DO , V.M. Quann DO , A. Gomez MD, A. Martinez-Mencia MD, J. Guarente MD, A. Goldberg MD
{"title":"Bacterial contamination of multiple platelet units at a university hospital-affiliated blood donation center in Philadelphia, PA: A quality improvement project","authors":"A.F. Schurr DO , V.M. Quann DO , A. Gomez MD, A. Martinez-Mencia MD, J. Guarente MD, A. Goldberg MD","doi":"10.1016/j.acpath.2025.100173","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.acpath.2025.100173","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":44927,"journal":{"name":"Academic Pathology","volume":"12 2","pages":"Article 100173"},"PeriodicalIF":1.2,"publicationDate":"2025-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144230978","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 : 2025-04-01DOI: 10.1016/j.acpath.2025.100170
Kelly Ernst MD, Christine Heisen MD, Minami A. Tokuyama MD, Krishna L. Bharani MD, PhD
{"title":"Making housestaff feel at home: impact of workspace interventions on anatomic pathology trainee wellness","authors":"Kelly Ernst MD, Christine Heisen MD, Minami A. Tokuyama MD, Krishna L. Bharani MD, PhD","doi":"10.1016/j.acpath.2025.100170","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.acpath.2025.100170","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>To improve trainee well-being in a healthcare setting, we implemented changes shown to significantly improve employee well-being in corporate settings in an anatomic pathology (AP) trainee workspace at one large academic program and measured changes in trainee stress and well-being. An IRB-approved survey was distributed to trainees before and after implementation of workspace modifications, which included deep cleaning of the physical space, making storage space for personal items, improving access to perishable and nonperishable foods, arranging equipment to facilitate ergonomic use, and providing real and artificial visuals of nature. The survey incorporated evidence-based scales including the Ambient Belonging Scale (ABS), the five-item WHO-5 Well-Being Index, the five-item modified Spielberger State and Trait Anxiety Scales, and the Growth Mindset Scale. Pre-intervention (n = 21) and post-intervention (n = 18) participants had scores consistent with a growth mindset, no significant anxiety state or trait, and above average sense of well-being. Compared with pre-intervention survey results, post-intervention AP residents who actively worked in the space had a significantly increased sense of belonging. Free-text feedback indicated that our efforts to improve the environment and to increase access to food positively impacted their well-being as AP trainees. We show that workspace interventions implemented at our institution significantly increased a sense of belonging for our trainees independent of their growth mindset, anxiety state or trait, and sense of well-being, which was high pre- and post-intervention. These simple and cost-effective workspace interventions can be implemented broadly to create a more supportive, inclusive environment for pathology trainees.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":44927,"journal":{"name":"Academic Pathology","volume":"12 2","pages":"Article 100170"},"PeriodicalIF":1.2,"publicationDate":"2025-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143792569","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Academic PathologyPub Date : 2025-04-01DOI: 10.1016/j.acpath.2025.100178
Priya Upadhyay MBBS, PhD , Terri E. Jones MD , Kamran M. Mirza MD, PhD , Oscar F. Lopez-Nunez MD , Meredith Herman DO , Yasamin Mirzabeigi MD , Tiarra Price DO , Fahad Alam MD , Swikrity U. Baskota MD
{"title":"Pathology observerships and externships for international medical graduates: Insights from a MatchToPath.com survey","authors":"Priya Upadhyay MBBS, PhD , Terri E. Jones MD , Kamran M. Mirza MD, PhD , Oscar F. Lopez-Nunez MD , Meredith Herman DO , Yasamin Mirzabeigi MD , Tiarra Price DO , Fahad Alam MD , Swikrity U. Baskota MD","doi":"10.1016/j.acpath.2025.100178","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.acpath.2025.100178","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Observerships and externships (OE) provide international medical graduates (IMGs) with essential clinical experience in the US, helping them acclimate to the medical system and strengthen their residency applications. However, OE are limited in the US and can be challenging for IMGs to arrange. Despite being a crucial component of the residency application process for IMGs, arranging OEs can be a significant stressor due to limited financial resources and a lack of connections with pathologists in the US. To date, there is limited literature on this topic. This study aims to evaluate current trends of OE in pathology for IMGs and offers suggestions to improve access to these opportunities within the physician workforce. The study was conducted using survey tools that included a Google Form shared from 6/2023 to 5/2024 on social media platforms associated with MatchToPath.com. The survey collected respondents’ ages, country of citizenship, medical school graduation year, number of application attempts, match success rates, number of OEs completed and their duration, expenses incurred, and overall experiences and challenges. A total of 128 applicants completed the survey where pathology was the primary specialty of choice for 79 % of respondents. Major obstacles for OEs included high costs and limited availability of positions. The study finds an urgent need for a standardized process with clear regulations governing expenses to prevent unreasonable pricing among OE providers. It also emphasizes the importance of creating a widely accessible database containing comprehensive information about OE opportunities for IMGs interested in pursuing pathology training in the US.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":44927,"journal":{"name":"Academic Pathology","volume":"12 2","pages":"Article 100178"},"PeriodicalIF":1.2,"publicationDate":"2025-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144084636","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 : 2025-04-01DOI: 10.1016/j.acpath.2025.100179
Meagan Chambers MD, MS, MSc , Jody E. Hooper MD , Alex K. Williamson MD
{"title":"Never let a good crisis go to waste: Decreased autopsy exposure necessitates TheAutopsyBook.com, a novel educational resource","authors":"Meagan Chambers MD, MS, MSc , Jody E. Hooper MD , Alex K. Williamson MD","doi":"10.1016/j.acpath.2025.100179","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.acpath.2025.100179","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The American Board of Pathology decreased the number of autopsies pathology residents must complete before board examinations from 50 to 30, despite recommendations from the Association of Pathology Chairs' Autopsy Working Group to the contrary. We present findings from a survey of pathology trainees who will begin independent practice under this criterion. The survey was composed of Likert and free-text questions. An invitation to complete the survey was disseminated on two autopsy-related national listservs, and 85 United States–based trainees responded. Respondents felt autopsy rotations had high educational value (64% of respondents) and that significant learning is required to perform a high-quality autopsy (74% of respondents). Approximately half of trainees (54%) feel prepared to independently perform autopsies after completing 30 procedures during residency. Only 36% of trainees felt that the existing educational resources were sufficient to learn autopsy pathology. In the survey's free-text questions, trainees identified attendings' attitude toward autopsy, rotation structure, and a lack of study resources as major barriers to learning autopsy pathology. The feedback on educational resources has informed the creation of <span><span>TheAutopsyBook.com</span><svg><path></path></svg></span>: a case-based, online, freely accessible learning resource for medical autopsy which affords residents access to efficient, high-yield information. The website content is vetted by a diverse group of leading autopsy educators and should be shared widely by program directors and educators to help bridge identified educational gaps.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":44927,"journal":{"name":"Academic Pathology","volume":"12 2","pages":"Article 100179"},"PeriodicalIF":1.2,"publicationDate":"2025-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144069993","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}