The elective is constructed for the student to rotate and participate in autopsy and surgical pathology. The student is expected to help perform 2-3 autopsies, review the microscopic slides and construct final diagnoses. In surgical pathology, the student participates in conferences, reviews teaching slide sets with the staff, helps in gross examination of specimens and participates in constructing diagnoses of the surgical specimens. Rotations in immunohistochemistry, morphometry and molecular pathology as they apply to the tissue and cellular diagnosis are also available. Utilizing case studies, emphasis is placed on use of laboratory tests to aid in the proper clinical diagnosis.
Attention is given to test characteristics such as accuracy precision and predictive values.
Application of the basic sciences to patient care is explored in the areas of chemistry, microbiology, hematology, blood banking, coagulation, immunology and toxicology. The student will acquire the background to be able to analyze factors for consideration in selection of laboratory tests. The student will acquire the background to be able to explain the principles for consideration in test selection for screening, diagnosis, treatment and monitoring of disease. The student will acquire the background to be able to discuss the benefits and limitation of test results. Student case presentations with pathologists and laboratory scientists.