UNIVERSITY OF ARKANSAS FOR MEDICAL SCIENCES
DEPARTMENT OF PATHOLOGY AND LABORTORY SERVICES
RESIDENCY CURRICULUM IN LABORTORY PRACTICE MANAGEMENT
DESCRIPTION
All pathologists need knowledge to compete and furthermore to thrive in the current
healthcare environment. The laboratory practice management curriculum provides an
awareness and responsiveness to the larger context and system of healthcare and the
ability to effectively call on system resources to provide care that is of optimal value.
Didactic components of systems-based learning form the design of the comprehensive
program in laboratory practice management.
GOAL
To gain a working knowledge of the history of healthcare delivery models in the United
States, cost effectiveness, methods of reimbursement for technical and professional
services, the array of potential professional relationships with hospitals, clinics, physician
groups, the basic principles of accounting, and essentials of laboratory practice
management.
OBJECTIVES
 To introduce the business of pathology.
 To understand how the business of pathology relates to healthcare systems.
 To appreciate the economics of healthcare.
 To understand cost-effective healthcare and resource allocation.
 To identify system resources available.
CURRICULUM
The core of the education in laboratory practice management is composed of the
following didactic components:
 Series of lectures presented at monthly intervals
 CAP Virtual Management College monthly teleconferences
 Month-long core rotation in laboratory practice management
 Participation in healthcare system committees
Lecture
The lecture series is presented by department faculty, administrators and staff. The topics
include Life cycle of a charge, Part A Reimbursement, Presentation Style and Technique,
Job Search and Retention, Professional Liability, Budgeting, Billing, Coding, HIPAA and
Compliance. The series is updated and repeated in alternate years.
CAP Virtual Management College
The CAP Virtual Management College teleconferences introduce residents to a variety of
issues using audio-conferencing. The topics include process improvement, basics of
Medicare, effective negotiating, safety, leadership, evidence-based medicine and risk
management. The presentations are made by national faculty experts. At the end of each
session, residents are afforded an opportunity for questions. Participation is documented
and required for at least 8 of the 10 sessions offered.
Rotation
The month-long core rotation in laboratory practice management is intended to permit a
senior-level resident to participate intensively in laboratory practice management as
practiced in the UAMS Department of Pathology and Laboratory Services. The resident
is expected to attend weekly and monthly meetings and conferences as directed. The
resident will be provided a collection of reference material for daily reading assignments.
The resident will be prepared to discuss the week’s reading during a regularly scheduled
meeting once a week with the administrator. Once the resident selects management
project, a mentor will be assigned. The topic may involve, but is not limited to, new test
design and implementation, denial research, billing inquiries, quality assurance activities,
laboratory management manual/policy reviews, outreach, trends and compliance. At the
completion of the rotation, the resident will present a description of the project, the
method of data collection and analysis, and assessment or recommendations. The
presentation will be made at the appropriate pathology forum depending upon the topic.
The mentor, administrator, and laboratory medical director will evaluate the presentation
style, delivery, content and relevance. The project is designed to demonstrate
competency in laboratory practice management.
Healthcare Systems Committee Involvement
The senior level-resident will attend management-related committee meetings as directed.
Committees will range from section level or department-wide to campus wide. The
attendance is mandatory and participation is encouraged.
EVALUATION
The following will document completion of the month-long rotation and competency in
the area of laboratory practice management:
 Self evaluation by the resident
 Pre and post test
 Assessment by mentor, administrator and lab medical director
PROGRAM REVIEW
The resident is encouraged to provide feedback of their month-long rotation to the
leadership of the department. This feedback will be used to refine the curriculum.
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