Overall Goal for Pathology Residency Program
The goal of the pathology residency program at the University of Michigan is to train medical graduates to become pathologists who exemplify the
best in patient care, contribute to medical and scientific understanding of diseases and their treatment, and who foster continued professional
growth in themselves and others.
Competencies of the University of Michigan Pathology Resident and Graduate
Medical
Knowledge
Patient Care
Practice-based
First rotation
Second and subsequent
rotations, short of final
rotation
Final rotation
Qualities of the Graduate
Pathologist
Move from Novice to
Advanced Beginner, and
toward Competent*
Acquires knowledge of
pathophysiology and
laboratory manifestations of
routinely-encountered
conditions; knows where to
access information to fill gaps
in knowledge.
Move from Advanced
Beginner to Competent*
Move from Competent to
Proficient*
Proficient to Expert*
Acquires knowledge of less
commonly-encountered
conditions and laboratory
techniques; critically evaluates
knowledge sources and uses
evidence-based approach to
acquire new knowledge.
Is able to perform procedures
necessary to generate
laboratory information, gather
and evaluate clinical
information needed to
establish diagnosis, and
effectively synthesize
observations relevant to the
clinical situation.
Uses feedback and evaluations
Uses laboratory data and own
observations to generate
accurate diagnoses and
differential diagnoses;
suggests appropriate ancillary
studies as needed; responds
to requests for consultation.
Exercises judgment in
application of evidencebased knowledge to
patient and to patient
population; assists junior
residents and other
learners in accessing
sources of medical
knowledge.
Recognizes clinical cases
and circumstances that are
rare or unique and selects
appropriate additional
studies; initiates
consultant role in unusual
cases; directs other
providers and learners in
challenging situations.
Facilitates collaboration
The graduate will critically
evaluate, understand and
apply both evolving and
established scientific,
clinical, and epidemiologic
evidence in providing
laboratory medicine-based
care to individual patients
and to the general patient
population.
The graduate will provide
accurate and appropriate
laboratory diagnostic
information, appropriately
synthesize with clinical data,
and serve as a consultant
for anatomic and clinical
pathology services.
Adapts practices based on
The graduate will be lifelong
Learning and
Improvement
to generate or modify learning
plan and improve sills.
literature review, case
outcomes, peer reviews, and
system demands; seeks and
gives feedback to improve self
and others.
and teamwork to improve
patient care and promote
learning.
Interpersonal
and
Communication
Skills
Establishes collegial
interactive and
communication skills in
dealing with others in the
health care community;
structures reports that are
clear, succinct, and follow
templates; listens to and
responds to requests from
other providers.
Is honest, compassionate, and
respectful of others; complies
with laws and regulations
pertaining to medical practice;
fulfills patient care and
educational responsibilities
faithfully. Understands
professional responsibility to
appear for duty rested and fit
to provide service.
Identifies issues related to
error, cost, and the need for
interdisciplinary collaboration
in the delivery of health care.
Conducts handoff at the
conclusion of rotation with
Effectively communicates in a
variety of settings, including
during conferences, while
providing consultations, and
teaching peers.
Demonstrates skill in
dealing with conflicting
opinions or perspectives;
responds independently to
questions from other
providers, patients, and
families; generates
sophisticated reports that
relay information about
complex cases.
Recognizes impairment in
themselves and peers and
takes steps to address this.
Mentors others in use of
inter-professional and
multi-disciplinary
collaboration; Is a role
model to other learners
regarding accountability to
self and others.
Identifies sources of error
and inefficiency and
initiates action to assess
and fix; acts as a
consultant in conducting
cost benefit analysis
Professionalism
Systems-based
Practice
Manages patient care duties
and interacts with other
providers with compassion
and respect for diversity;
recognizes and responds to
need for help from colleagues.
Improves patient outcomes
and promotes efficiency by
making decisions based on
best evidence of outcomes,
and by involvement in quality
initiatives.
learner and motivate others
to learn by actively
assessing his/her
knowledge, skills, and
practice, then seeking,
appraising, and assimilating
scientific evidence to
improve patient care
practices.
The graduate effectively
and respectfully
communicates with and
teaches members of the
health care community,
patients and families,
receiving and relaying
diagnostic information to
enhance its clinical value.
The graduate is committed
to fully carrying out his/her
professional responsibilities,
adheres to ethical
principles, respects the roles
of other health care
providers, and is sensitive
to the diversity that is
inherent in the patient
population and health care
community.
The graduate uses his/her
understanding of the role of
pathology in the context of
the larger health care
system to access resources
that will facilitate optimal
patient care, analyze data
care and thoroughness.
regarding effective and
safe use of laboratory
medicine in the delivery of
patient care.
for the benefit of patient
populations, and manage
both individual cases and
entire laboratories to
effectively deliver patient
services.
*Descriptions of Dreyfus Levels of Learning
Novice:
A novice knows little about the subject, and rigidly adheres to rules with little situational perception. He/she does not feel responsible for
outcomes.
Advanced Beginner:
The advanced beginner is still dependent on rules, but can adapt rules to changing circumstances. However, all attributes of a situation tend to
be given equal importance, and there is still little feeling of personal responsibility for outcomes.
Competent:
The competent learner grasps the relevant facts, can sort information by relevance, can bring his/her own judgment to each case, and solve
problems. Guidelines are adapted to unexpected events. He/she feels accountable for outcomes because of increasing decision-making.
Proficient:
The proficient learner has progressed from step-by-step analysis and task performance to a holistic perception of the entirety of the situation.
He/she uses pattern recognition and intuition arising from experience to identify problems, and perceives deviations from the expected. Actions
are guided by principles, and situations are appreciated in a larger context. He/she can reflect on experiences to correct errors and improve, and
can learn from others’ experiences. Sense of responsibility grows with increasing decision-making.
Expert:
The expert knows a subject thoroughly, intuitively sees the appropriate actions and answers to problems, rather than needing rules. His/her
sense of responsibility extends to others and the entire system; he/she is a teacher.