Residents seeking training in AP only at Stanford begin with 24 months of structured training followed by 12 months of flexible training, as outlined below.
Note: The months of training are for the total experience in the different areas. Individual schedules will vary as to when the months in various subspecialties are scheduled, generally in 1 month blocks.
Structured Training in Anatomic Pathology (24 months)
- Four months of autopsy experience, divided equally between Stanford Hospital & Clinics (SHC) and the Palo Alto Veterans Administration Medical Center (PAVAMC).
- Fourteen months of surgical pathology training (12 months at SHC and 2 months at the PAVAMC). The surgical pathology rotation is currently set up as follows: Day 1: Gross room; Day 2: Cytology; slide preview for day 3 sign-out; Day 3: Surgical pathology sign-out; Day 4: Frozen section/gross room; Day 5: Neuropathology; slide preview for day 6 sign-out; Day 6: Surgical pathology sign-out.
- Six months of additional anatomic pathology specialty training, including cytopathology (1 month), dermatopathology (1 month), hematopathology (1 month), forensic pathology (1 month), and two months selective/elective.
Flexible Training in Pathology (12 months)
The third year of training may be customized by the resident to meet her or his individual needs, selecting from a wide variety of patient care or clinical, translational or basic research opportunities. Moreover, departmental funding is available to support suitable research projects, whether these are conducted within the Pathology Department or with other Stanford faculty.
For those who would prefer to have additional clinical training, a third year of consecutive clinical training in AP is guaranteed. Residents interested in this option either may apply for our Surgical Pathology Fellowship or take an alternative year of AP training that will be designed in conjunction with the faculty in accord with the trainee's career plans. This extra year must be scheduled on the 3rd year, after the required structured two-year AP only training period is completed.
Clinical Pathology (CP) Only Training
Residents seeking training in CP only at Stanford begin with 24 months of structured training followed by 12 months of flexible training. The details of the current program of rotations are given below.
Structured Training in Clinical Pathology (24 months)
- Twelve months of training in the four major established areas of laboratory medicine: chemistry/immunology, hematology/coagulation, microbiology/virology, and transfusion medicine. These are divided into introductory rotations of two months, followed by one-month return visits to each after all of the areas have been experienced.
- Two months of training in laboratory genetics (biochemical genetics, molecular genetics and cytogenetics).
- Two months of training in pediatric laboratory medicine.
- Two months of training in general laboratory medicine at the Palo Alto Veterans Administration Medical Center (PAVAMC).
- Six months structured (content to be determined by the resident and her/his mentor).
Flexible Training in Pathology (12 months)
The third year of training may be customized by the resident to meet her or his individual needs but must be taken in sequence with the two year required structured training. The resident may choose from a wide variety of patient care or clinical, translational or basic research opportunities. Moreover, departmental funding is available to support suitable research projects, whether these are conducted within the Pathology Department or with other Stanford faculty.
Combined Anatomic Pathology and Clinical Pathology (AP/CP) Training
The combined program consists of 24 months of AP followed by 24 months of CP. The current composition of the 48 months of required combined AP/CP training is as follows.
Note: the months of training are for the total experience in the different areas. Individual schedules will vary as to when the months in various subspecialties are scheduled.
Structured Training in Anatomic Pathology (24 months)
- Four months of autopsy experience, divided equally between Stanford Hospital & Clinics (SHC) and the Palo Alto Veterans Administration Medical Center (PAVAMC).
- Fourteen months of surgical pathology training (12 months at SHC and 2 months at the PAVAMC). The fourteen months of surgical pathology at SHC consist of a 3-day rotational cycle that includes one day each of intraoperative (frozen-section) consultations, neuropathology and cytopathology on alternating cycles (i.e., every sixth day).
- Six months of additional anatomic pathology specialty training, including cytopathology (1 month), dermatopathology (1 month), hematopathology (1 month), forensic pathology (1 month), and two months selective/elective.
Note: This is identical to the 24 structured months for AP only residents.
Structured Training in Clinical Pathology (18 months)
- Twelve months of training in the four major established areas of laboratory medicine: chemistry, hematology, microbiology/virology, and transfusion medicine. These are divided into introductory rotations of two months, followed by one-month return visits to each after all of the areas have been experienced.
- Two months of training in laboratory genetics (biochemical genetics, molecular genetics and cytogenetics).
- Two months of training in pediatric laboratory medicine.
- Two months of training in general laboratory medicine at the Palo Alto Veteran's Administration Medical Center.
Note: Except for the 6 months of structured time that is included in the first 24 months of the CP only program, this experience is similar to the structured part of the program for CP only residents.
Flexible Training in CP (6 months)
The remainder of the fourth and final year of required training may be customized by the resident to meet her or his individual needs, selecting from a wide variety of patient care or clinical, translational or basic research opportunities. Moreover, departmental funding is available to support suitable research projects, whether these are conducted within the Department of Pathology or with other Stanford faculty.
Optional Fifth Year of Advanced Training in AP (12 months)
As noted above, we guarantee all AP/CP residents an optional third year of Anatomic Pathology training. This extra year must be scheduled in the fifth year of an AP/CP program, after the required 4-year AP/CP training is completed. Residents may either apply for our Surgical Pathology Fellowship or may design, in conjunction with the faculty, an alternative year of AP training that will be in accord with the trainee's career plans. This "extra" year of AP training has previously been used by AP/CP residents to satisfy the credentialing year requirement. Even though the American Board of Pathology has decided to eliminate the credentialing year requirement, Stanford will continue to guarantee this advanced AP experience to all AP/CP residents in good standing, even though it is no longer required for board certification.
Combined Anatomic Pathology and Hematopathology (AP/Heme) Training
The combined program consists of 24 months of AP (similar to the AP only program) and 24 months of hematology/hematopathology. The current composition of the 48 months of required AP/Heme training is as follows:
- Twenty four months of AP similarly scheduled as the AP only training.
- Twelve months of Hematology/Hematopathology training similar to the hematopathology fellowship program. The remaining twelve months may be designed to meet individual interests with prior approval by the Director of the Hematopathology Fellowship Program and the American Board of Pathology.
Combined Anatomic Pathology and Neuropathology (AP/NP) Training
The combined program consists of 24 months of AP (similar to the AP only program) and 24 months of neuropathology. The current composition of the 48 months of required combined AP/NP training is as follows:
- Twenty four months of AP similarly scheduled as the AP only training.
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The first 12 months of NP training concentrates on general diagnostic surgical and autopsy neuropathology. The second 12 months offers the opportunity for the trainee to develop a research project and/or develop additional expertise in diagnostic NP, depending upon the ultimate career objectives of the trainee.
