do residents ever switch from AP/CP to AP or CP alone

[fleegle]

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Just curious if any of you know of residents who have switched from AP/CP to just one of them (and why they would decide do that)?

I'm trying to find out which programs might be flexible enough to allow that (I seem to recall hearing that some places even encourage it for some reason)...

Thanks, all!

 

[GreatPumpkin]

I think you should not look for a program that will let you switch, you should look for one that will let you go just AP or CP.

We have had people switch to AP or CP only and though it may not matter to the faculty much, it pisses the other residents off. It causes problems with call schedules, rotation schedules, vacations etc... Don't forget that programs need residents for service work. When someone drops part of their service responsibilities on others, the others tend to not like it.

Some programs will not take people who are AP or CP only some won't.

 

[dancelover]

I'm only a second year med student entertaining the idea of a future in pathology. I don't know the lingo yet. Can someone tell me what AP and CP stand for (I can guess that the P is probably for path). Thanks.

 

[Doctor B.]

AP= Anatomic Pathology (surgical pathology, autopsy, etc)
CP= Clinical Pathology (microbiology, blood bank, chemistry, hematopathology, etc)

We had a resident recently switch to from AP/CP to CP only. However, she is still covering AP call so as not to make more work for the other residents. Her reasons for switching were that she wanted to do a blood bank fellowship because she liked the fact that it was more clinically oriented (she enjoys the patient interaction aspect).

Probably most programs that offer AP and CP only training will allow you to switch. But, keep in mind what GP said: you don't want to make enemies of your fellow residents.

 

[fleegle]

Points well taken! 🙂 I'm not personally planning to switch from one to the other at any point (and you're right--it would be unkind to create problems with call and such).

Thanks for your input!!

 

[Primate]

Follow-up question:

Given that most people who do NP are going into academics, does anyone think that it makes sense to do AP/CP and then NP, or just do AP and then NP (which can be combined - I don't know of any AP/CP/NP combined programs!)?

Thanks,
P

 

[Ludy]

Why would you want to do CP at all, if you plan on staying in academics?

Everyone I talked to at my school said that if you know you want to be in academics, there's really no reason to do CP. I've verified this by looking at tons of job postings, in path journals and websites, and have only found 4-5 out of >200 academic jobs that required or preferred combined AP/CP training. These were generally chair positions or positions at a VA hospital, never for subspecialists like neuropathologists.

 

[Doctor B.]

One reason to do AP/CP, even if you are going into academics, is so that if you ever decide to leave academics, you'll have a better shot at getting a private practice job. If you know for sure you will stay in academic AP and never do private practice, you can get by without CP. Of course, you could probably get a private practice job with AP only. However, having the CP part enhances your marketability (private practices often want you to be director of some CP part of the lab).

 

[Primate]

Interesting reasons for and against. I think the deciding factor would be if one can combine an AP/CP with an accelerated NP fellowship (as the 4 year AP/NP would do). Otherwise, the extra 2 years for CP may, I repeat may, not be worth it.

Thanks,
P

 

[Sage]

Hey Primate,

I've asked the same questions regarding AP - Dermpath vs. AP/CP - Dermpath. Most folks have said to go for AP only and then on to Dermpath. Sounds like we're getting similar advice.

Sage

 

[GreatPumpkin]

I would not give that advice for someone thinking about dermpath. A dermpath fellowship is so competitive, there is a strong chance the person may never get one. So, it would be prudent to have the CP as a back up for going into general private practice.

If someone is 100% they are going academics then straight AP is fine for any of the AP subspecialties. But, if sometime in your life you may go private then get the CP. And, with the way the world changes who can really say 10-15 years down the road they will never consider going to private practice. If you can pass that crystal ball over here I need next weeks lotto numbers.

 

[Doctor B.]

GP is right on. It's probably better to be safe and get the CP certification even though you may never touch CP again. It's good to have just in case.

 

[Sage]

Thanks GP/BCMD.

Just when I had entered the AP only zone? But honestly, thank you for the advice. I apply next year, so I need to hear this now. There is a very good chance that I?ll stay in academics, but you never know. I?ve been encouraged to go AP only, but it?s helpful to hear the reasons/benefits to going AP/CP.

Any ideas as to why dermpath is so competitive? (Other than money.) I like the idea of narrowing your clinical scope as a means to help focus your research.

 

[GreatPumpkin]

Originally posted by Sage

Any ideas as to why dermpath is so competitive? (Other than money.) I like the idea of narrowing your clinical scope as a means to help focus your research.

It is also supply and demand, there are not very many spots for dermpath fellows which are fought over by both dermatology residents and pathology residents.

 

[Primate]

Anyone have any sense if one could do the 18/18 months AP/CP and then 2 years NP, thereby doing the whole shot in 5 years? I've been thinking about it, and the 4 year AP/NP is just soooo attractive. It'd be worth adding the CP if it only set me back a year, but if it meant doing 2 extra years, well that might tip the scales back.

Anyone in the know?

P