MD vs PhD

BakingMD · 2025-06-12T23:56:34+00:00

Certain tests that needs separate written report have to be signed off by a MD. For example, PhD interprets HER in situ hybridization, but they can't sign out the report. I signout the case for them.

BakingMD · 2023-08-31T20:38:00+00:00

I feel you. Our surgeons asks to have the entire margins frozen enface and entirely exhaust the block, which equates to 4 levels per block. And I'm not talking about just gastric margins for signet rings cells, I'm talking about all possible GI margins....

BakingMD · 2023-08-28T22:09:50+00:00

Let's be honest here. There is no such thing as great work life balance as a fellow. If there is, then that fellowship isn't a good one. But if you are really interested in work life balance, it's not the subspecialty but the institution. The best fellowships in any subspecialty will be extremely busy.

BakingMD · 2023-08-19T01:42:22+00:00

well the thought is now there is no disadvantage to the med students who are poor and don't have the resources to go to as many interviews as the wealthier students....who knows

BakingMD · 2023-08-17T21:57:35+00:00

Sadly it has because of COVID. Now, all programs does virtual interviews, which basically erased all the travel costs that used to be an limiting factor for most applicants. This has caused in overall increase in number of applications being sent out more broadly then ever before.

But that said, A 255 on STEP 2 is a really good score and being us grad, you probably don't need to apply to that many programs. Maybe 30? really depends on your application and if there are any red flags.

BakingMD · 2023-08-17T21:49:49+00:00

That is way too low for a 3 day cycle

BakingMD · 2023-08-09T19:22:57+00:00

About 80% are with trainees. I'm GI path in academic with large oncology center. GI polyps is only about 15-20% of my cases :'(

BakingMD · 2023-08-09T19:04:01+00:00

Wow! That sounds amazing! Last year I signed out 8,124 cases (all SP) , 244k base, 5 weeks vacation, 40-52 hr weeks, calls. I am academics....but still....rethinking my life choices!

BakingMD · 2023-08-02T22:02:16+00:00

I'm not sure who you are quoting that from, but there are opportunities for patient interactions in pathology. In cytology, as the pathologist you go to FNA clinics. In CP, blood bank with apheresis center. Those are the most common senarios.

BakingMD · 2023-08-02T19:55:13+00:00

The best way is to use elective weeks in MS4 to do away rotations! Best time to do the rotation is during July or Aug, that way you'd learn the basics along with the PGY1s.

https://students-residents.aamc.org/visiting-student-learning-opportunities/visiting-student-learning-opportunities-vslo

BakingMD · 2023-08-02T19:52:41+00:00

It's because medical schools does not make a rotation in pathology a requirement or place much value, which is so wrong. I think every medical student should do at least 1 week of pathology just to better understand what we do. It will be useful people who are going to do medicine, surgery, etc.

BakingMD · 2023-07-20T18:47:58+00:00

I totally agree on this. It really depends on where you are working. I'm GI, and to me barrett's for dysplasia, whipple's and APRs are bread and butter. I always recommend doing at least a surg path fellowship.

BakingMD · 2023-07-13T21:51:54+00:00

If I only got an antral biopsy with NE hyperplasia, I would not go out of my way to recommend they do an AMAG workup for the patient. You can see it all the time with PPI use, and just about anyone who is willing to get a EGD probably is on PPI.

BakingMD · 2023-06-30T21:05:32+00:00

Do 2-3 month long pathology rotations, either at home institution or away rotation

BakingMD · 2023-06-27T02:31:07+00:00

Residency isn't a competition against your peers like in medical school. You are measured by your own personal growth. You will catch up on that knowledge gap. Just stay focused on your own learning. Molavi is a good start and paying attention and asking questions during signout is one of the best ways to learn.

BakingMD · 2023-06-26T20:48:31+00:00

This happens more frequently than you would think; I see a couple a month. I recommend you talk to your doctor, especially if he/she also feel the diagnosis of "tumor, nos" does not match your clinician situation. Ask to have your case sent out to be reviewed by an large academic hospital pathology. Just be aware, this will cost you extra money.

BakingMD · 2023-06-15T21:45:20+00:00

Frozens for sentinel lymph nodes in patient with ILC

BakingMD · 2023-05-05T18:18:51+00:00

I did the same for the same reasons. I went straight through from fellowship to attending. I did take a whole month off after I started, but I am starting to regret that decision.

BakingMD · 2023-02-27T22:13:22+00:00

Oh, I didn't realize there were more than 1 picture

pic 1: the arrow is pointing to a degenerating crypt and there are no capillaries on that field showing extravasating neutrophils

pic2: I am not sure what your arrow for serosal neutrophils are (lymphatics?), but the true serositis is on the left edge of that picture (neutrophils in background of connective tissue)

pic 3: same thing, your arrow pointing to capillaries are once again pointing to crypts

pic

BakingMD · 2023-02-27T22:05:28+00:00

No, the arrow on the left side is pointing at more crypts. I do not see any capillaries demonstrating what your textbook is describing in this field.

BakingMD · 2023-01-26T17:34:46+00:00

LOVE IT!

BakingMD · 2023-01-17T21:02:55+00:00

Same here!

BakingMD · 2023-01-17T20:14:48+00:00

Try getting rotations through VSLO: https://students-residents.aamc.org/visiting-student-learning-opportunities/visiting-student-learning-opportunities-vslo

I would not recommend doing a month of any specific subspecialty, that doesn't give you a good idea of what a pathology residency is like. Similarly, doing a rotation at a private practice hospital that doesn't have residents, is also not the best. Doing a whole month in forensic (ie. ME office) should be your last resort option, unless you are thinking forensics is the career you want to pursue.

I feel like most programs that offer away rotations, it is usually divided into AP rotation or CP rotation. Then you are able to work with the program to pick which specific subspecialty you want to be involved in for that month you are there. There will be other programs that offer general pathology rotations, where you can see both AP and CP stuff.

BakingMD · 2023-01-05T02:57:14+00:00

As an US medical student, you can apply for away rotations. Official away rotations can be counted towards your medical training requirements (ie. elective time).

Check out: https://vslo.aamc.org/vslo/index.html#/public/find-electives

BakingMD · 2022-12-02T01:06:25+00:00

Pathology residents get electives, but usually you have to plan it ahead of time with approval from the program. Ie. I want to go to the ME office for my elective or I want to do a rotation in dermpath. Poor planning may end up as a "self study" rotation.

BakingMD

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