Spending a day with a pathologist

[Jacobian78]

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Earlier today I talked to a pathologist at a local hospital who has agreed to allow me to come in and observe, or "shadow", him for a day. To be honest, I'm quite nervous about going in and possibly asking something dumb or getting in his way. I was wondering if any of the attendings or residents on this board have any advice on things to ask or possibly subjects to read up on in advance. I'm going to be a sophomore in college, so I don't exactly have an extensive amount of knowledge pertaining to the pathology field, but I know enough to think that it sounds pretty fascinating. Also, I know that a lot of people shadow physicians merelyactuallyhoping to learn as much as possible from this opportunity as opposed to just racking up some hours.

I hope this is appropriate to post here as I figured there would be a substantial amount of pathology attendings, residents, or fellows viewing this board.

 

[Ziehl-Neelsen]

You are a sophomore in college dude. Unless this is the most unreaonable guy on the planet, he will expect you to know only the very basics (i.e. red blood cells carry oxygen, the heart is a muscle, etc.)

Just be interested, be of good cheer, and talk some but not too much and you'll do fine.

 

[Jacobian78]

True, I'm not expecting to have to draw him a 5 page diagram of metabolic pathways or anything. It's just that this is my first time shadowing so I'm not really aware if there are any general no-no's to avoid.

 

[RisingSun]

True, I'm not expecting to have to draw him a 5 page diagram of metabolic pathways or anything. It's just that this is my first time shadowing so I'm not really aware if there are any general no-no's to avoid.

I suggest you keep your hands in your pockets and make sure not to contaminate anything or be contaminated by anything. You'll be fine. Ask to look at slides that he might be reviewing and hopefully there will be something to be grossed - if not by him by a PA. Check that out if you can. You'll probably think it is pretty neat. 👍

 

[Spineman]

Don't worry at all about it man. I just finished my first experience with any pathologists. I have been interested in the field since about the 2nd month of medical school when I realized that I like histology so much. I finished my 1st week working with them and I, unfortunately, won't get a chance to get back here until December due to school. However, it was one of the coolest experiences I have had this far (does that make me a super nerd???).

The way it worked for me, and bear in mind that I will be a 2nd year med student in august, is that they started teaching me things on Monday. Asking me a few very easy questions and letting me get some confidence. I was working at a big lab (23 pathologists) so I got to rotate around with a lot of different specialties. Every one of them was incredibly cool and helpful. Then today, the day I was leaving, I did get pimped by the head of the lab who I was assigned to for the week. He pimped me on 10 cases and fortunatly for me I got all 10 of them right. What he was wanting me to know is what kind of tissue we were in and then show him what was abnormal about the tissue. If I had a diagnosis after that it was all cake. I did well on this stuff and I have to tell you that it was almost all learned this week from watching them. And I got, quite possibly, the most flattering comment I have gotten to date (as far as my medical career goes) today while talking to the head of the lab after my pimp session. He told me that right now, I knew pathology better than 95% of the residents at the hospital. Now granted this included more than there few path residents, but for a 1st year who thought he had an interest in path before this, I have to say that I was pumped to hear someone say that.

Sorry for the long post, good luck with your week and enjoy it. It's a lot of fun.😀

 

[GreatPumpkin]

I suggest you keep your hands in your pockets and make sure not to contaminate anything or be contaminated by anything. You'll be fine. Ask to look at slides that he might be reviewing and hopefully there will be something to be grossed - if not by him by a PA. Check that out if you can. You'll probably think it is pretty neat. 👍

Hehe. What in the world do you think he will contaminate?

Forget path if you are afraid to get a little blood or various other body fluid on you.

You will be fine. I have had students shadow me on a few occasions. You just hang out and watch. He/she will probably have you look at slides with them and show you some "gross" stuff. They will have no expectations of you knowing anything much about path.