Combined dermpath programs?

[Sophia88]

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I am a 3rd year medical student interested in pathology and specifically dermpath. One of my advisors mentioned that some pathology residencies have a combined dermpath track which are 4 years in total. I have tried looking into this further but have not come across any information? Have anyone heard of this or have any additional information?

Thank you!

 

[mlw03]

I'm not sure if what you're asking about formally exists in the US. What you're asking could be done as AP only + dermpath fellowship = 4 years total. You could apply as an AP-only applicant only at programs with dermpath fellowships, but I think the odds are virtually 0% that you'd find a program who would accept you for a pgy4 dermpath fellowship straight up. It's just not going to happen.

 

[KCShaw]

Marginally more likely, I suspect, for those doing derm -> dermpath instead of path -> dermpath. Not that it can't happen, I just haven't heard of anyone getting into such a track. It's probably a tad more common with some of the other boarded path subspecialties, but still very uncommon for someone to be accepted up front to a combined AP/subspec program. To do it as path->dermpath you would almost certainly need some very, very strong pre-existing "in" somewhere -- but I wouldn't hold my breath.

Basically, the tracks are little more than what mlw described, which is basically AP+fellowship -- one isn't necessarily saving time or getting more focused training with the tracked programs.