Pathology-Specific Competancies - Education

Pathology-Specific Competencies

The Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) has spearheaded "The Outcome Project", a long-term initiative by which ACGME is increasing emphasis on educational outcomes in the accreditation of residency programs. Phase 1 of the Project for programs began in July 2001, and the subsequent phases are expected to continue through 2011 and beyond. The Outcome Project is centered around competencies in six main areas or domains: Patient Care, Medical Knowledge, Practice-based Learning and Improvement, Interpersonal and Communication Skills, Professionalism, and Systems-based Practice.

The following competencies have been adapted from the ACGME's Program Requirements for Graduate Medical Education in Anatomic Pathology and Clinical Pathology revised on July 1, 2016 for use in the UIC Pathology Residency Program.

By the completion of training, the resident is expected to develop the competencies in the six major domains below to the level expected of a new practitioner in Pathology:

Patient Care and Procedural Skills

Residents must be able to provide patient care that is compassionate, appropriate, and effective for the treatment of health problems and the promotion of health. Residents must demonstrate competence in:

Anatomic and Clinical Pathology track (APCP-4)

(a) The performance and diagnostic interpretation of autopsies.

(b) All aspects of an autopsy, as appropriate to the case.

(c) Examining and diagnosing surgical pathology specimens.

(d) Performing and diagnosing intra-operative consultations.

(e) Examining and diagnosing gynecologic, non-gynecologic, and fine needle aspiration cytology

      specimens.

(f) Interpreting common laboratory tests, including peripheral smears, body fluids, bone marrow

      aspirates and biopsies, microbiology and chemistry tests, and transfusion medicine tests.

Anatomic Pathology only track (AP-3)

Residents must demonstrate competence in:

(a) The performance and diagnostic interpretation of autopsies.

(b) All aspects of an autopsy, as appropriate to the case.

(c) Examining and diagnosing surgical pathology specimens.

(d) Performing and diagnosing intra-operative consultations.

(e) Examining and diagnosing gynecologic, non-gynecologic, and fine needle aspiration cytology

      specimens.

(l) Interpreting common laboratory tests, including peripheral smears and bone marrow aspirates and

     biopsies.

Clinical Pathology only track (CP-3)

(a) Residents must demonstrate competence in interpreting common laboratory tests, including

      peripheral smears, body fluids, bone marrow aspirates and biopsies, microbiology and chemistry

      tests, and transfusion medicine tests.

Anatomic and Clinical Pathology (APCP-4), Anatomic Pathology (AP-3), Clinical Pathology (CP-3)

must demonstrate competence:

(a) In interpreting immunohistochemical stains

(b) And the ability to provide appropriate and effective pathology services consultation

(c) In interpreting laboratory data as part of patient-care decision-making

(d) In addressing laboratory quality, safety, and management issues, with appropriate support

(e) In providing medical advice on the diagnosis and management of diseases, and laboratory test

      selection and interpretation.

Residents must be able to competently perform all medical, diagnostic, and surgical procedures considered essential for the area of practice.

Medical Knowledge

Residents must demonstrate knowledge of established and evolving biomedical, clinical, epidemiological and social-behavioral sciences, as well as the application of this knowledge to patient care. Residents must demonstrate knowledge of:

(a) Pathogenesis, diagnostic techniques, and prognostic factors for disease processes commonly

      analyzed and diagnosed by laboratory and pathologic methods, as matches the program’s specialty

      concentration.

(b) The principles of laboratory management.

Anatomic and Clinical Pathology track (APCP-4)

(a) The performance of fine needle aspiration, apheresis, and bone marrow procedures, including

      indications, complications, safety considerations, and specimen preparation.

Anatomic Pathology only track (AP-3)

(a) The performance of fine needle aspiration and bone marrow procedures, including indications,

      complications, safety considerations, and specimen preparation.

Clinical Pathology only track (CP-3)

(a) The performance of apheresis and bone marrow procedures, including indications, complications,

      safety considerations, and specimen preparation.

Practice-based Learning and Improvement

Residents must demonstrate the ability to investigate and evaluate their care of patients, to appraise and assimilate scientific evidence, and to continuously improve patient care based on constant self-evaluation and life-long learning.

Residents are expected to develop skills and habits to be able to meet the following goals:

(a) Identify strengths, deficiencies, and limits in one’s knowledge and expertise.

(b) Set learning and improvement goals.

(c) Identify and perform appropriate learning activities.

(d) Systematically analyze practice using quality improvement methods, and implement changes with

     the goal of practice improvement.

(e) Incorporate formative evaluation feedback into daily practice.

(f) Locate, appraise, and assimilate evidence from scientific studies related to their patients’ health

    problems.

(g) Use information technology to optimize learning.

(h) Participate in the education of patients, families, students, residents and other health professionals.

(i) Participate in quality improvement projects.

(j) Evaluate personal practice using an individualized learning plan and portfolio.

Interpersonal and Communication Skills

Residents must demonstrate interpersonal and communication skills that result in the effective exchange of information and collaboration with patients, their families, and health professionals.

Residents are expected to:

(a) Communicate effectively with patients, families, and the public, as appropriate, across a

     broad range of socioeconomic and cultural backgrounds.

(b) Communicate effectively with physicians, other health professionals, and health related

      agencies.

(c) Work effectively as a member or leader of a health care team or other professional group.

(d) Act in a consultative role to other physicians and health professionals.

(e) Maintain comprehensive, timely, and legible medical records, if applicable.

(f) Demonstrate competence in effective verbal and written communication.

(g) Demonstrate competence in generating comprehensive pathology and consultation reports.

Professionalism

Residents must demonstrate a commitment to carrying out professional responsibilities and an adherence to ethical principles.

Residents are expected to demonstrate:

(a) Compassion, integrity, and respect for others.

(b) Responsiveness to patient needs that supersedes self-interest.

(c) Respect for patient privacy and autonomy.

(d) Accountability to patients, society and the profession.

(e) Sensitivity and responsiveness to a diverse patient population, including but not limited to

diversity in gender, age, culture, race, religion.

Systems-based Practice

Residents must demonstrate an awareness of and responsiveness to the larger context and system of health care, as well as the ability to call effectively on other resources in the system to provide optimal health care.

Residents are expected to:

(a) Work effectively in various health care delivery settings and systems relevant to their clinical

     specialty.

(b) Coordinate patient care within the health care system relevant to their clinical specialty.

(c) Incorporate considerations of cost awareness and risk-benefit analysis in patient and/or

      population-based care as appropriate.

(d) Advocate for quality patient care and optimal patient