Uscap 2008

[pathstudent]

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4 more days until the deadline I managed (or hopefully will have managed) to submit 2 abstracts. One is a GI study. The other is liver. This is the most exciting time of year. THis is what residency and practice is all about, advancing pathology and changing how it is practiced. It is way more gratifying than just signing out cases. It is an opportunity to alter the future of medicine.

How is everyone else doing?

 

[deschutes]

I dunno. Some years it seems less like "altering the future of medicine" and more like throwing **** at the wall and seeing what sticks. 😛 But we'll see.

 

[pathstudent]

I dunno. Some years it seems less like "altering the future of medicine" and more like throwing **** at the wall and seeing what sticks. 😛 But we'll see.

LOL. It may seem that way at times, but if you have an expert subspecializeed academic pathologist mentoring you, they should be able to get you working on some topic where you can make a difference and at least change the way pathology is practiced at least within that subspecialty.

 

[microdot]

LOL. It may seem that way at times, but if you have an expert subspecializeed academic pathologist mentoring you, they should be able to get you working on some topic where you can make a difference and at least change the way pathology is practiced at least within that subspecialty.

USCAP rarely changes anything for anyone in terms of how pathology is practiced.

 

[docbiohazard]

LOL. It may seem that way at times, but if you have an expert subspecializeed academic pathologist mentoring you, they should be able to get you working on some topic where you can make a difference and at least change the way pathology is practiced at least within that subspecialty.

No guarantee, of course, that you've changed it for the better...

BH

 

[pathstudent]

No guarantee, of course, that you've changed it for the better...

BH

😕😕😕😕😕

Huh?

Advancing knowledge is always for the better.

 

[docbiohazard]

😕😕😕😕😕
Huh?
Advancing knowledge is always for the better.

I was making a tongue in cheek comment. Even the well intentioned can have their best efforts go awry when put into general practice, not to mention unintended consequences or plain error.

Now, I would also argue that advancing knowledge is not always for the better, either... but then we're even further off topic. I was just being contrarian...

BH

 

[GreatPumpkin]

I found CAP much more fun than USCAP. But, I am less academically minded than private practice for sure. My experience with the USCAP members was mostly like "gee another resident, fine lets see your project, ok goodbye I need to talk to someone important now". My experience at CAP "wow nice to meet you, where do you want to practice, how do you like residency, here come sit with us we are from....."

Maybe it was just me.

 

[Adrian Cocot]

LOL. It may seem that way at times, but if you have an expert subspecializeed academic pathologist mentoring you, they should be able to get you working on some topic where you can make a difference and at least change the way pathology is practiced at least within that subspecialty.

Ah, the youthful naivete that comes along with your first USCAP meeting.

After random foreigners (or if you're lucky, prominent leaders in the field) come by and piss on your poster, the sheen wears off quickly.

 

[so somatic]

I found CAP much more fun than USCAP. But, I am less academically minded than private practice for sure. My experience with the USCAP members was mostly like "gee another resident, fine lets see your project, ok goodbye I need to talk to someone important now". My experience at CAP "wow nice to meet you, where do you want to practice, how do you like residency, here come sit with us we are from....."

Maybe it was just me.


I couldn't agree more, Great One. I've enjoyed the CAP a lot since becoming a resident and think that, for those of us not as academically inclined, it's a great meeting place for future and current pathologists.

 

[LADoc00]

USCAP...CAP....ASCP...CSP...seriously WTH has happened to pathology?

The only conference Im going to this coming year is some random hemepath thing in Barcelona this Spring, only because I want the write off.

 

[GreatPumpkin]

I think about the time I was drinking beer and line dancing with the CAP president I realized the CAP meeting rocked.

And, Scottsdale was awesome.

 

[yaah]

USCAP rarely changes anything for anyone in terms of how pathology is practiced.

Not really true. It is where a lot of the findings are presented (and questioned) that go into future papers and consensus guidelines. It is definitely full of information, I have gone every year and enjoyed it. I never seem to make the CAP because it's always at a time when I have a conflict (last year I got married, this year I was in europe until today and we have a local conference that I am going to). USCAP has a bunch of great small subspecialty sessions over the first weekend, and then the short courses later on which are good reviews, similar to stuff at CAP or ASCP and more for practicing pathologists. I agree that USCAP doesn't do as well for resident issues as the CAP or ASCP does, although it has been getting better over the last couple of years.

In general though, going to conferences is a great thing to do, you learn about how pathology advances as a field. I find it fascinating to see all these studies and try to figure out which are important advances and which are ho-hum.

Plus, getting together abstracts and presenting them is a great thing to do for your own career. Not just for the CV, but to learn how to put them together and what is important.

 

[Doctifosi]

Does anyone know when we will find out whether our abstracts have been accepted or not?

 

[deschutes]

I believe December-ish.

 

[yaah]

I believe December-ish.

I cannot remember. I know it should be soon. Abstracts have already been reviewed and decided on, it's just a matter of organizing things and sending out emails. I tried to find my acceptance letter from last year but was unsuccessful.

 

[yaah]

In regards to the "CAP vs USCAP" issue, it probably all depends on your perspective. USCAP is more than just abstract and poster sessions - first two days are full of companion society meetings which usually consist of 3-4 lectures on current topics in the field. CAP is one of the companion societies and CAP residents' forum meets at USCAP. Then monday-wednesday is mostly abstract sessions, although evenings have specialty conferences (interesting cases, usually). Wed-friday is short courses which are 4 hours on one specific topic (like prostate core bx interpretation). These short courses are mostly aimed at private practice pathologists.

I like USCAP, lots there for housestaff if you take advantage of it. They have sessions during the breaks where there are hospitality rooms set up and you can meet well known pathologists. Probably other meetings have similar stuff too.

USCAP this year is in Denver, which is an odd choice for beginning of March. But better than Atlanta.

 

[b&ierstiefel]

I believe December-ish.

From the grapevine, the meetings to judge abstracts have already happened. We should hopefully hear sometime this month.

 

[CameronFrye]

-

 

[b&ierstiefel]

Several of us heard the good news today.

I should probably add that I heard directly from my senior author, so I don't know if he received an email or just called someone he knows.

Congrats to you and your colleagues. Hope to join the extravaganza in Denver.

 

[yaah]

From the grapevine, the meetings to judge abstracts have already happened. We should hopefully hear sometime this month.

Abstracts aren't judged by meeting, to my knowledge, there are people around the country (generalists and subspecialists) who review them and score them, then the results are all tabulated. There are far too many abstracts to make it worthwhile to decide at meetings. The tabulation and notification takes awhile though and involves meetings.

 

[CameronFrye]

So, it turns out that the official emails have not been sent, but the decisions have been made.

 

[CameronFrye]

Abstracts aren't judged by meeting, to my knowledge, there are people around the country (generalists and subspecialists) who review them and score them, then the results are all tabulated. There are far too many abstracts to make it worthwhile to decide at meetings. The tabulation and notification takes awhile though and involves meetings.

Yeah, I think you're pretty much right. We have several reviewers in the dept. If I remember correctly, each abstract is given a score of 1 to 5 (five being nobel prize worthy, 1 being unreadable). Just about all abstracts receive a 2 to 4. A four usually guarantees an acceptance. Most 2's are rejected. The 3's are a gray area. Their acceptance depends on how many entrants for that category have been submitted.

 

[l&usibari]

Yeah, I think you're pretty much right. We have several reviewers in the dept. If I remember correctly, each abstract is given a score of 1 to 5 (five being nobel prize worthy, 1 being unreadable). Just about all abstracts receive a 2 to 4. A four usually guarantees an acceptance. Most 2's are rejected. The 3's are a gray area. Their acceptance depends on how many entrants for that category have been submitted.

I submitted one 3 and one 4, so I am almost guaranteed at least one acceptance!

 

[yaah]

Yeah, I think you're pretty much right. We have several reviewers in the dept. If I remember correctly, each abstract is given a score of 1 to 5 (five being nobel prize worthy, 1 being unreadable). Just about all abstracts receive a 2 to 4. A four usually guarantees an acceptance. Most 2's are rejected. The 3's are a gray area. Their acceptance depends on how many entrants for that category have been submitted.

It's more like 1-7, but 7 is rarely given out. A good score is 4+, as you said. The highest scores are probably around 6, but even those are rare. I believe you're right in regards to cutoff, it depends on how many are submitted and overall quality for the year. Some people seem to think that if you submit abstracts in certain categories the standards are tougher (as in, some people here think the breast category is tougher to crack while the GU category accepts everything) - but it's not really true. Similar % are accepted in every category, some categories just get more submissions than others (GU, GI, Breast, and heme are the most popular topics).

 

[CameronFrye]

It's more like 1-7, but 7 is rarely given out. A good score is 4+, as you said. The highest scores are probably around 6, but even those are rare. I believe you're right in regards to cutoff, it depends on how many are submitted and overall quality for the year. Some people seem to think that if you submit abstracts in certain categories the standards are tougher (as in, some people here think the breast category is tougher to crack while the GU category accepts everything) - but it's not really true. Similar % are accepted in every category, some categories just get more submissions than others (GU, GI, Breast, and heme are the most popular topics).

Yeah, it's all about the number of submissions in that category. I've heard that the autopsy category is an especially easy way to go (although I don't know that for sure).

 

[pathresident]

I submitted one 3 and one 4, so I am almost guaranteed at least one acceptance!

I am a little confused. How do you know the score of your abstracts? Is it posted somewhere?

 

[Mindy]

I personally think that pathology residents should attend and present at as many meetings as they possibly can, and this is particularly true if they intend on staying academic.

The USCAP is a fabulous---though overwhelmingly large---meeting. I made it to 2 of them. I did not have an abstract first year and I skipped out of the last year because I had used up my presentation money on other meetings. My third year, a strong abstract (I had submitted 2, one of which was accepted) was rejected and I felt a bit bitter. It was a 3 country, 9-pathologist collaboration that actually DID have a bit of an impact on treatment (it is published in a clinical GI journal and has gathered a bit of attention). I still cannot figure out why it was rejected other than the reviewers could not see its significance.

Now that I am specialized I try to make my specialty meeting, which is the National Association of Medical Examiners (NAME). It is really beneficial to get involved with your specialty (a small community) at a national level. And if you are able to present yearly, very quickly the folks in your professional community will get to know you. I think that this is a particularly beneficial goal for the young pathologist, as it can jumpstart your network and get you a bit of recognition.

Finally, don't stop at the abstract, publish what you present. It is very satisfying to publish.

Best of luck to all who have submitted abstracts for the USCAP.

Mindy

 

[CameronFrye]

Finally, don't stop at the abstract, publish what you present. It is very satisfying to publish.

Our residency director really hammers this point home. An abstract that goes unpublished is basically a waste.

 

[yaah]

I am a little confused. How do you know the score of your abstracts? Is it posted somewhere?

It's not posted. I think the post was something of a joke, tongue-in-cheek.

They don't tell you your score. The only thing you find out is if it is accepted or not, and if so, as a poster or an oral abstract.

 

[pathresident]

It's not posted. I think the post was something of a joke, tongue-in-cheek.

They don't tell you your score. The only thing you find out is if it is accepted or not, and if so, as a poster or an oral abstract.

Yaah, thanks. I guess I am just nervous about my abstract getting rejected, so I failed to see the joke.

 

[yaah]

Yaah, thanks. I guess I am just nervous about my abstract getting rejected, so I failed to see the joke.

Just remember, they aren't rejecting you, just your abstract. 😉

 

[CaptainEddie]

I called them (uscap) last week and they told me that they were going to send all the letters (emails) of acceptance either today or tomorrow... I'm crossing my fingers as I really enjoy these meetings

 

[l&usibari]

I called them (uscap) last week and they told me that they were going to send all the letters (emails) of acceptance either today or tomorrow... I'm crossing my fingers as I really enjoy these meetings

No email....bull****, bull****!!! Where's my email???? Did anyone get an email?

 

[b&ierstiefel]

No email....bull****, bull****!!! Where's my email???? Did anyone get an email?

No email here...I was gonna post shenanigans yesterday.

Don't really care though...the email will come eventually but it's almost Thanksgiving and we should really be thinking about partying.

 

[SLUsagar]

notified of results today.

 

[Doctifosi]

Just received an email that my abstract has been selected for the Stowell Orbison Award competition. That makes my Thanksgiving weekend. Good luck to everybody who has submitted.

 

[l&usibari]

My "4" abstract with an internationally known expert was rejected, and my mediocre "3" abstract was accepted.

 

[SLUsagar]

My "4" abstract with an internationally known expert was rejected, and my mediocre "3" abstract was accepted.

agreed, sometimes there's no rime-o-reezon about the whole process. Still unsure if it's truly blinded by name/institution as well. Think GU/GI were pretty heavy this year (as always??). My lead abstract, about a clinically relevant and hot-topic issue I was pumped about (GU topic) got the ax, but my backup neuropath IPOX project got a platform. Oh well, my trip's paid for now, that's all that imp.

 

[b&ierstiefel]

I got one of three possible notifications today around 9 pm today. To echo SLUSagar, my trip is all paid for...time to party in Denver!

 

[trent05]

Also heard today. See you guys in Denver!

 

[pathstudent]

how do you know your score?

I am going to on an all expense paid trip to the Mile High City too!!🙂

My "4" abstract with an internationally known expert was rejected, and my mediocre "3" abstract was accepted.

 

[l&usibari]

how do you know your score?

IT WAS A JOKE.

 

[yaah]

agreed, sometimes there's no rime-o-reezon about the whole process. Still unsure if it's truly blinded by name/institution as well. Think GU/GI were pretty heavy this year (as always??). My lead abstract, about a clinically relevant and hot-topic issue I was pumped about (GU topic) got the ax, but my backup neuropath IPOX project got a platform. Oh well, my trip's paid for now, that's all that imp.

GU, GI and Breast are the biggest areas, I think hemepath is also very high. They are, I believe, blinded by name and institution but I think many put the name of their institution in the abstract somewhere (i.e., database at the University of Excellence was searched for ...) to perhaps get around that.

There are always stories from people who say their abstract they thought was interesting was rejected and a similar boring or relatively less important one was selected. I'm not sure why that is either. I guess it depends on who is reviewing it, although multiple people review them. There are always rumors that someone will give an abstract a low score if it is in a similar area that they are doing their work in, but I doubt this is a huge factor.

IT WAS A JOKE

Do you mean the abstract? 😉

 

[pathresident]

I am going to USCAP!

 

[sohsie]

I am NOT going to USCAP 🙁

Oh well (I wasnt really surprised)

 

[jayman]

Woohoo! Accepted! See y'all in Denver!

 

[pathstudent]

GU, GI and Breast are the biggest areas, I think hemepath is also very high. They are, I believe, blinded by name and institution but I think many put the name of their institution in the abstract somewhere (i.e., database at the University of Excellence was searched for ...) to perhaps get around that.

There are always stories from people who say their abstract they thought was interesting was rejected and a similar boring or relatively less important one was selected. I'm not sure why that is either. I guess it depends on who is reviewing it, although multiple people review them. There are always rumors that someone will give an abstract a low score if it is in a similar area that they are doing their work in, but I doubt this is a huge factor.

That sounds rather cut-throat. What percent of abstracts are accepted?

 

[yaah]

It's not really cutthroat, it's more a function of space limitations (well, manipulation of the process is but that's a side story and is probably only very rarely true). USCAP gets thousands of abstract submissions and they can only accept a certain number, based on # of oral presentation slots and poster slots (some convention sites are bigger than others). I think the overall % of accept is decently high (2/3 - 3/4) but that might be an overestimate, I can't exactly remember.

 

[b&ierstiefel]

GU, GI and Breast are the biggest areas, I think hemepath is also very high. They are, I believe, blinded by name and institution but I think many put the name of their institution in the abstract somewhere (i.e., database at the University of Excellence was searched for ...) to perhaps get around that.

Yeah, they are blinded but there are a few abstract reviewers here who said that they could figure out who wrote it by reading the text.

There are always stories from people who say their abstract they thought was interesting was rejected and a similar boring or relatively less important one was selected. I'm not sure why that is either.

Same stories are floating around here now that abstract decisions have been mailed out.
Conclusion 1: You only need one abstract accepted to get a expenses-paid trip to the meeting.
Conclusion 2: # of abstracts accepted inversely correlates with partytime at conference (only being half serious here but you get the point...)