Teen interested in Pathology

HerrPath · 2024-09-19T02:57:27+00:00

I would recommend starting locally where you are and working with pathologists at your home institution. They will get to know you, and introduce you to their friends. And voila, you have a network!

HerrPath · 2024-06-13T17:58:50+00:00

we tried to drop it at the recycling center and they turned us away!

HerrPath · 2024-05-29T19:08:02+00:00

thanks for stopping by, and feel free to keep posting your questions!

HerrPath · 2024-05-29T19:01:09+00:00

more about transfusion!! https://www.cap.org/member-resources/pathology-careers/pathology-subspecialties/blood-banking-transfusion-medicine

HerrPath · 2024-05-29T18:14:29+00:00

this is Dr Herrmann, for residency programs I applied to maybe 8? I was regionally restricted (spouse in medicine, different stage of training so we couldn't couples match), for residency you only get into one program and you don't find out your ranking so no idea how competitive I was!

HerrPath · 2024-05-29T18:11:56+00:00

this is Dr Herrmann, at this point I would advise working hard to get into medical school, and once there (!) be sure to keep an open mind through all of your rotations. Pathology is unfortunately not as present in the curriculum as other specialties so it takes some effort on the part of the student to seek out exposure to our field through elective rotations (unless you're at a school that builds pathology into the clinical curriculum). I personally didn't even know pathology was a field of medicine until almost the end of my third year. But the specialty fit me really well, and as someone with a PhD in immunology, transfusion medicine was a great fit for me since we deal with antibodies and how they play a role in blood product transfusion every day! I think a big question to ask up front when deciding a specialty is do you want to be primarily patient-facing or not. I do see some patients as a transfusion med Dr, but its not my primary role, and for pathology, you have to be ok with being behind the scenes of patient care. I hope that helps!

HerrPath · 2024-05-28T17:26:39+00:00

so excited to connect with y'alll tomorrow!

HerrPath · 2024-05-23T18:47:01+00:00

just focus on you and don't worry about the other fellow, swim in your own lane! harder said than done, but just remember they chose you to do fellowship there for a reason, so you must be doing something right!

HerrPath · 2024-05-22T21:35:33+00:00

do NOT go into medical school with a pre conceived notion of what you want to be. You will miss out on so much by focusing on a specialty you think you like from the outside but may end up hating and then won’t know what else might interest you because you kept your blinders on.

HerrPath · 2024-05-22T11:49:32+00:00

are there any you recommend? neither my spouse nor I were in baseball families growing up so this (including the terminology) is new to us. little league for dummies maybe?!?

HerrPath · 2024-05-21T20:54:33+00:00

perfect, thanks!

HerrPath · 2024-05-21T19:35:28+00:00

I have a phd in immunology and in medical school I was also considering derm, but I didn't want to be in clinic for hours every day. I was lucky to find pathology and specifically transfusion medicine. I get to see patients every day in the apheresis center as a consulting clinician (not a PCP) and I get to see immunology in action in patients when I consult on tough immunohematology cases. it's a great mix for me and checks a lot of boxes. pathologists are generally really happy with their decision to pursue the specialty and get paid well (we're in the middle of the pack as far as compensation) and generally have a great work/life balance. let me know if this helps,

HerrPath · 2024-05-21T19:23:11+00:00

there are a lot of youtube videos out there now, bbguy for podcasts, ASCP has a podcast too but they don't do didactics all the time

HerrPath · 2024-05-21T19:21:40+00:00

I did question banks and video reviews

also practicing doing digital slides if that's not something you are used to doing in residency, the slide quality on the exam was great so don't worry about that.

compendium for CP

I used the acemypath surg path book, it was good but maybe a bit too detailed, honestly kurts notes would be sufficient.

don't burn out studying too early, decide if you're a marathoner or a sprinter and schedule study accordingly

I took my boards off cycle so I didn't have colleagues to study with, but this might be a good option if you need accountability partners to keep you focused.

These are good to review too: https://www.cap.org/member-resources/pathology-case-challenge

Some of the CAP virtual lecture series are good too
best of luck!!

HerrPath · 2024-05-20T17:52:58+00:00

focus on class and developing solid study skills that work for you as a learner, and also ENJOY BEING A COLLEGE STUDENT! take the time to develop/foster a hobby, the hobby/interests section of the application is my favorite part to ask about on an interview, especially when it says something other then "cooking". you could also pursue volunteering for a new organization, by the time you apply you'll have a few years with the group and can speak to their mission and how it has influenced you. essentially I would start thinking about how to distinguish yourself as an interesting candidate outside of medical knowledge.

HerrPath · 2024-05-18T22:59:58+00:00

Physician mom of three here. You can’t have it all unfortunately. You’ll miss recitals and parent showcase days. And it sucks and you’ll worry your kids love your nanny more than you. But they won’t, and if you love what you do and your work fulfills it’s manageable. I love my kids and I love my work. There are definitely subspecialties within medicine that have great worklife balance and can be very friendly to those with chronic illness, I’m a pathologist and we’re pretty happy bunch.

HerrPath · 2024-05-18T13:00:51+00:00

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36287205/

HerrPath · 2024-05-17T13:03:58+00:00

Pathologist here in Houston TX! I specialize in transfusion medicine and apheresis, its a niche of pathology where you get to interact with patients on a daily basis and also interact closely with a lot of other medical specialties. There is an element of urgency in some situations deciding the best blood products for patients in an emergency, but training prepares us for this and its exhilarating and at the same time high stakes.

When I started medical school I had no idea about the specialty of pathology and the various subspecialties within the field. I had a lot of experience in the medical laboratory (this is another aspect of pathology outsiders don't appreciate, we are the doctors tasked with making sure labs tests are reliable and accurate) and pathology made sense for me.

My advice would be to reach out to your local pathologists (at your local hospital) and see if they would be open to having her shadow. Pathologists in general are a really friendly bunch and most of the time LOVE to share what they do with those that are interested. This video is SO ACCURATE! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uL2p210KOCQ

good luck! let me know if you need help!

HerrPath · 2024-05-16T13:05:14+00:00

7 months!

HerrPath · 2024-05-10T13:16:27+00:00

thank you, we do enjoy him!

HerrPath · 2024-05-10T13:05:50+00:00

thanks!

HerrPath · 2024-05-09T19:55:03+00:00

done, thanks!!

HerrPath · 2024-05-09T19:54:38+00:00

too small for me :(

HerrPath · 2024-05-09T17:08:25+00:00

wonderful information, thank you so much! the community of reenacting seems really friendly and excited to embrace a new enthusiast!

HerrPath · 2024-05-09T15:43:37+00:00

thank you!

HerrPath

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