Carib & Pathology

[Katatonic]

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I've done some research into the carib schools and so far am planning on applying to the most popular 3 or 4 (in addition to a 50/50 mix of U.S. MD and DO schools). I've looked at their match rates as well but I can't decipher something. I want to go into pathology and I am wondering if the low number of path matches is just due to low interest of graduates in the field, or if it is difficult to match into from the carib schools? Can anyone comment on this? I don't think path is one of the most competitive so I didn't think it would be a big deal if you have comparable stats and research to an AMG. Thanks!

 

[howelljolly]

Nobody really keeps a record of where carib students apply to.

But I definitely get the impression that they tend not to apply for pathology. Ive heard of only 3, (out of hundreds) that were going for path. All of them had made that choice before they started med school... one had a PhD, one had a MS in Path. Somehow, Pathology seems to be ignored as a possible specialty for Carib students.

 

[Postictal Raiden]

Nobody really keeps a record of where carib students apply to.

But I definitely get the impression that they tend not to apply for pathology. Ive heard of only 3, (out of hundreds) that were going for path. All of them had made that choice before they started med school... one had a PhD, one had a MS in Path. Somehow, Pathology seems to be ignored as a possible specialty for Carib students.

so you are saying the fact that very few students eventually go into pathology is because most students aren't attracted to the field, not because of it's competitiveness?

 

[howelljolly]

so you are saying the fact that very few students eventually go into pathology is because most students aren't attracted to the field, not because of it's competitiveness?

Yes


And, Im speculating that most carib students arent attracted to pathology because for some reason or other, they dont learn enough about it to get interested.

 

[coralis]

Well... I too might be interested in Pathology. However, for Pathology there is ANOTHER board examination (from what I quickly read) after all your STEPS and residency (not sure of this) and the failure rate in the US for this exam is 50%...OUCH!

 

[howelljolly]

Well... I too might be interested in Pathology. However, for Pathology there is ANOTHER board examination (from what I quickly read) after all your STEPS and residency (not sure of this) and the failure rate in the US for this exam is 50%...OUCH!

Ummm... there is an additional, separate Board exam after graduation from residency for every single specialty.

Thats what makes you a "Board Certified Pathologist", "Board Certified Pediatrician", "Board Certified Cardiologist"...

You dont need to pass the Board exam in order to practice. Graduating from residency (after having passed Step3), and obtaining a state lisence qualifies you to practice. However, if you aren't board certified, you may have a lot of trouble getting hired into a practice, or getting hospital privileges.

Dr. Rey from Dr. 90210 is a cosmetic surgeon, but is not board certified. Same for the cosmetic surgeon who operated on Kanye West's mother.

Your own doctor.... probably board certified.

 

[dragonfly99]

howelljolly is absolutely correct about the board certification exam. Every specialty recognized by the American Board of Medical Specialties has one. Some (like pediatrics) have a higher failure rate, while others like fm and IM are easier (IM pass rate is >90% on the 1st try).

I think med students in general (not just Caribbean med students) usually ignore pathology as a potential specialty, probably because it's not a required rotation at any med school I know of (so, little exposure to the field prior to 4th year). Also, a lot of people go to med school b/c they want to do direct patient care (at least, they start out that way), so many are not attracted to pathology. However, for what it's worth, I think pathology is an underrated specialty. They have good hours and do some interesting stuff, plus you can subspecialize if you want (i.e. become the blood bank pathologist, etc.). I don't have personal knowledge, but would think that pathology would not be super hard to get from one of the better Caribbean med schools, particularly if you have shown genuine interest in the field. However, if you can go to a US school it will make your life easier in general...easier to get a residency, easier to get a medical license, perhaps cheaper to get your degree (i.e. US state med school vs. St George U tuition).

 

[Katatonic]

Thanks for the information everyone. It's too bad there isn't more exposure to it (rotation wise). But, it's encouraging to know that the low match rates are most likely due to a low interest rate rather than a competition issue.

 

[Boges]

It's too bad there isn't more exposure to it (rotation wise).

Use your electives.

 

[howelljolly]

Use your electives.

That too.

There are plenty of pathology electives available for Carib med students. But the students choose not to take them.

 

[Katatonic]

That too.

There are plenty of pathology electives available for Carib med students. But the students choose not to take them.

Oh, I didn't know they were available as electives! I thought you meant there wasn't much exposure to it at all (no rotations) and only your second year classes.

 

[digitalising]

There are at least two path matches at SGU this year, so interest isn't completely dead yet.

 

[howelljolly]

Oh, I didn't know they were available as electives! I thought you meant there wasn't much exposure to it at all (no rotations) and only your second year classes.

The second year pathology class isnt really what the specialty of Pathology is like (its the study of diseases, rather than the diagnosis of them)... and that's really the only exposure most med students have to field (besides occasionally reading the pathologist's report on any other clinical rotation, or listening to the pathologists voice on the OR speakerphone).

Pathology is one of those fields which is not associated with a core rotation... (as is radiology, PM&R, derm...) So, something has to make you want to choose pathology as one of your limited number of electives.

Usually earning potential (derm), or cush hours (PM&R), or utility in other fields (radiology), or academic interest (any med or surg subspecialty), win out over "let me burn one of my electives on a field that I know nothing about, dont know if I'll like, and really wont be too useful for any other field of medicine"