General Pathology

Department of Pathology

  • Course Information

    Course Number: RPAT660

    Prerequisites: Completion of the Internal Medicine and Surgery clerkships

    Length of Time: 2 weeks

    Phase Availability: Phase 2 and Phase 3
    *Phase 2 students may apply with approval from the Program Director.

    Credit Type: Open

    Call: No

  • Contact Information

    Program Director: Matthew Twohig, MD

    Coordinator/Scheduling: Allison King (aking75@uic.edu)

    Location: UW Health Hospital (1401 E State St., Rockford, IL 61104)

Narrative Description: For students who wish a more in-depth experience in the hospital practice of pathology. The major emphasis is usually on surgical pathology. Subspecialty areas such as hematology, coagulation, etc., can be studied under the supervision of the faculty member responsible for the subspecialty area. Teaching slides are available for the use of the student, as well as current case material. Students are expected to research and write-up one case of their choice to add to the department’s teaching file. Students contemplating a career in pathology are encouraged to take the elective.

Competencies: Familiarization with the hospital-based practice of Anatomical and Clinical Pathology, Hands-on experience in the processing of surgical pathology specimens, and individualized study of secondary laboratory preferences (Hematology, Microbiology, Blood Bank, Coagulation), if desired.

Learning Objectives:

Upon completion of this elective, the student will be able to:

  1. Describe the pathologist’s role in the clinical laboratory.
  2. Describe the basic methodology of the most commonly performed laboratory tests.
  3. Explain the workflow in the clinical laboratory.
  4. Order appropriate laboratory tests or blood components in a given clinical situation.
  5. Describe the process by which a pathologist approaches the problem of tissue and cytologic diagnosis.
  6. Identify the salient features of gross pathology as the surgical pathologist sees them.
  7. Observe and describe the technical processing of tissues and cytologic samples.
  8. Describe some of the common pathologic specimens seen in surgical pathology.
  9. Differentiate between benign and malignant tissues and cells by listing identified criteria.
  10. Recognize the indications for and uses of frozen sections in surgical pathology.
  11. Research a pathology topic and make a presentation.

Learning Activities:
In clinical electives taken through the University of Illinois College of Medicine Rockford, registered students will participate in any combination of the following activities with the goal of positively impacting patient care and learning about patient conditions to achieve the course objectives. These activities include, but are not limited to: chart review, history elicitation of patients, physical exam, oral presentation, written documentation in the EHR, special topics presentations, procedural skills, participation in seminars/didactics/grand rounds, participation in development of assessment and plan for the care and treatment of patients, interpretation of patient findings either by exam or test results, literature review, case discussion, interprofessional care, simulations, and patient meetings. Students will engage in activities as directed and appropriately supervised by College Faculty.

Method of Assessment:

The faculty will base their evaluation on:

  1. Individual discussions with the student.
  2. Observation and daily contact with the student.
  3. Presentation at the conclusion of the elective.
  4. Standard Clinical Evaluation Form.

Required Reading: None

General Scheduling:

Students will be expected to work with the attending pathologist they are assigned whenever they are in clinic, Monday through Friday during the weeks they are enrolled in the elective. They must complete a minimum of 35 hours clinical time each week for completion of this elective.

Additional Resources: None

Miscellaneous Information: None