Growing pathology: Cultivating interest in pathology within pre-medical students through a novel Pathology Mini-Bootcamp

Pathology is vital to healthcare but remains underrepresented in medical education, with limited awareness among pre-medical students. Bridging this gap early may enhance interest in pathology. This study evaluates the impact of participating in a Pathology Mini-Bootcamp class on pre-medical undergraduate students' knowledge and career interest. The two-week bootcamp curriculum combined virtual learning and in-person hands-on experiences covering disease mechanisms, diagnostics, and pathology's role in patient care. Pre- and post-quizzes assessed participants' knowledge and interest in pathology-related careers. Postbootcamp quiz scores improved significantly, increasing from an average of 13/30 to 23/30 points. All participants cited hands-on activities as the most engaging component. Additionally, 71.4% reported a higher likelihood of considering pathology. Seven students in total participated in this pilot class, with four committing to pursuing medical school, one to a pathologists' assistant program, one to a physician assistant program, and one to a perfusion program at the end of the class. The bootcamp successfully increased pathology knowledge and interest. One participant noted: “The course was an amazing experience and organized really well. It gave a great idea for what learning histology in medical school would be like. Also, learning about all of the careers in pathology and many different ways to get involved in the vast field was executed very well. Overall, I really enjoyed the course and learned a lot.” These findings highlight the value of early exposure to pathology in recruiting future pathologists. Future efforts should refine strategies to enhance long-term engagement and career selection in pathology.