Surgical & Autopsy Pathology (150.03)
General Elective Information
This a 4 week medical student elective for those interested in advancing their knowledge in pathology and how this field contributes to modern medicine. The elective is designed to present the varied aspects of anatomic pathology, focusing on the autopsy, surgical pathology and cytopathology services. Students spend one week on the Autopsy Service at Parnassus, one week on the Pathology Service at the SF General Hospital and Trauma Center and two weeks on Surgical Pathology/ Cytopathology Services at Parnassus and Mt. Zion. In addition, students are exposed to subspecialties such as molecular diagnostics, neuropathology, and renal pathology.
Contact Information
- Philip C. Ursell, MD
- philip.ursell@
ucsf.edu - (415) 476-6912
Information for visiting students
Faculty
Overview
Tier 2.This elective is for students interested in advancing their knowledge of pathology and discovering the contribution of pathology to modern medicine. For students contemplating a career in pathology, this elective provides an overview of the practice of pathology in an academic medical center. Students interested in other fields will learn how pathology interfaces with various areas in clinical medicine, as well as the basic sciences. The elective is designed to present the varied aspects of anatomic pathology, focusing on the autopsy, surgical pathology and cytopathology services. In addition to the departmental program of weekly conferences, the elective will include a student-oriented series of daily seminars on diverse topics in the field, conducted by attending pathologists. In this way, students will be exposed to subspecialties such as molecular diagnostics, neuropathology and renal pathology. In addition, it will be possible to tailor the rotation to address special interests of particular students. Students will spend one week on the Autopsy Service at the Parnassus site, one week on the Pathology Service at the SF General Hospital and Trauma Center and two weeks on Surgical Pathology/Cytopathology Services at Parnassus and Mt. Zion. Under supervision, the student will complete one autopsy, from dissection to final report. On Surgical Pathology, the student will work up specimens and sign them out with an attending pathologist. The student also will participate in the fine needle aspirations and sign-out of cytology specimens. By the end of the elective, the student will be thoroughly familiar with the approach to evaluating disease process from anatomical specimens in a busy academic medical center.
Course Objectives
By the end of the rotation, the student will: Be able to do a complete autopsy, including the final report, under supervision Be able to evaluate, process and diagnose surgical specimens under supervision Be able to describe how fine needle aspiration is performed, as well as the role of cytopathology in medical practice Be able to give an overview of the role of subspecialties in pathology in a university medical center Be able to describe how the autopsy, surgical pathology and cytopathology contribute to modern medical practice.
Common Problems/Diseases
Through case specimens, the student will be exposed to a wide range of general, as well as subspecialty, pathology in a large academic medical center and a general hospital. Breast, gastrointestinal, gynecologic, lung, neuro, renal, and urologic pathology are specialties that figure prominently in the day-to-day work.
Recommended Text or Reading
Background reading in Robbins and Cotran or similar general pathology text is expected, and more focused reading in specialty texts may be required. Literature review of topics pertinent to the daily work is encouraged.
Team Composition
On Autopsy, the student will be on a team with 1-2 residents and an attending. On Surgical Path students will be on a team with a junior and a senior level resident, and will sign out with an attending pathologist.
Additional Information
Call Schedule/Weekends
The workday runs from 8 am-5 pm weekdays; there is no night or weekend call assigned.
Grading
Pass/Fail
Prerequisites
Fourth-year standing and completion of the core clerkships.
Quarters Taught
Su 2, Fa, Wi, Sp
Location
Parnassus
Minimum Weeks Offered
4
Maximum Students per Block
2
Contact Name
- Philip Ursell, MD
- (415) 476-6912
Location to report to
Comments
This course is not offered in summer block 1. August - December offered only to students who are considering applying in pathology.