Christopher Mary M, Schultze A Eric, Bird Karyn E
Department of Pathology, Microbiology, and Immunology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis 95616, USA.
Vet Clin Pathol. 2003;32(3):121-35. doi: 10.1111/j.1939-165x.2003.tb00325.x.
Residency and graduate programs in veterinary clinical pathology provide specialized training for board certification and are important pathways to careers in clinical pathology diagnostics, teaching, and research. Information about training opportunities is useful for assessing disciplinary needs, outcomes, and changes, garnering program support, and providing objective data for program evaluation by faculty, trainees, and prospective applicants.
The goals of this study were to 1) compile detailed information on the number and types of postgraduate training programs in veterinary clinical pathology in the United States and Canada, 2) describe the goals, activities, strengths, and weaknesses of the programs, 3) assess the desirability of program accreditation and program standards, 4) identify supplemental training opportunities, and 5) evaluate changes in programs, trainees, and faculty 4 years later.
In July 1998, the American Society for Veterinary Clinical Pathology Education Committee sent a survey to representatives at the 31 schools and colleges of veterinary medicine in the United States and Canada and 31 diagnostic laboratories, private hospitals, and pharmaceutical companies. Survey data were compared with updated information obtained from training program coordinators in November 2002.
Survey response rate was 94% for universities, 39% for nonuniversity institutions, and 66% overall. In 1998, there were 20 clinical pathology training programs, including residencies (n=10) and graduate programs combined with residency training (n=10), with 36 total training positions. In 2002, there were 25 training programs (14 residencies, 11 combined), with 52 total positions. The median faculty:trainee ratio was 2.0 in both years. Of 67 faculty members involved in training in 1998, 57 (85.1%) were board-certified in clinical pathology and 53 (79.1%) had DVM/PhD degrees. Net faculty numbers increased by 17 (25.4%) but the median per institution remained at 3.0. Primary program goals were 1) eligibility for and successful achievement of board certification in clinical pathology by the American College of Veterinary Pathologists, 2) proficiency in laboratory diagnostics, and 3) contemporary basic or applied research training. Many programs cited research opportunities, caseloads, and training in hematology and cytology as strengths. Program weaknesses included insufficient funding, too few faculty, and limited training in clinical chemistry and laboratory operations/quality assurance. Trainees completing programs within the past 5 years (n=70) were employed in academia (28.6%), diagnostic laboratories (32.9%), and industry (18.6%). For trainees completing programs between 1999 and 2002 (n=38), these percentages were 52.6%, 21.1%, and 7.9%, respectively. Most (62.5%) respondents supported program standards and accreditation, and 76% supported board review sessions for trainees.
Opportunities for postgraduate training in veterinary clinical pathology increased between 1998 and 2002, with 5 new programs and 16 new training positions. These additions and the increased emphasis on diagnostic proficiency, efforts to strengthen training in clinical chemistry and quality assurance, and continuation of combined PhD-residency programs will help address the perceived need for increased numbers of qualified clinical pathologists in academia, diagnostic laboratories, and industry.
兽医临床病理学的住院医师培训项目和研究生项目为获得委员会认证提供专业培训，是临床病理学诊断、教学和研究职业发展的重要途径。有关培训机会的信息有助于评估学科需求、成果和变化，获得项目支持，并为教师、学员和潜在申请人进行项目评估提供客观数据。
本研究的目标是：1）汇编美国和加拿大兽医临床病理学研究生培训项目的数量和类型的详细信息；2）描述这些项目的目标、活动、优势和劣势；3）评估项目认证和项目标准的可取性；4）确定补充培训机会；5）评估4年后项目、学员和教师的变化。
1998年7月，美国兽医临床病理学会教育委员会向美国和加拿大的31所兽医学院以及31个诊断实验室、私立医院和制药公司的代表发送了一份调查问卷。将调查数据与2002年11月从培训项目协调员处获得的最新信息进行比较。
大学的调查回复率为94%，非大学机构为39%，总体回复率为66%。1998年，有20个临床病理学培训项目，包括住院医师培训项目（n = 10）和结合住院医师培训的研究生项目（n = 10），共有36个培训岗位。2002年，有25个培训项目（14个住院医师培训项目，11个结合项目），共有52个岗位。两年的师生比例中位数均为2.0。1998年参与培训的67名教师中，57名（85.1%）获得临床病理学委员会认证，53名（79.1%）拥有兽医学博士/哲学博士学位。教师净人数增加了17名（25.4%），但每个机构的中位数仍为3.0。主要项目目标是：1）有资格并成功获得美国兽医病理学家学会临床病理学委员会认证；2）熟练掌握实验室诊断；3）接受当代基础或应用研究培训。许多项目将研究机会、病例量以及血液学和细胞学培训视为优势。项目劣势包括资金不足、教师太少以及临床化学和实验室操作/质量保证方面的培训有限。在过去5年内完成项目的学员（n = 70）受雇于学术界（28.6%）、诊断实验室（32.9%）和行业（18.6%）。对于1999年至2002年期间完成项目的学员（n = 38），这些百分比分别为52.6%、21.1%和7.9%。大多数（62.5%）受访者支持项目标准和认证，76%的受访者支持为学员举办委员会复习课程。
1998年至2002年期间，兽医临床病理学研究生培训机会有所增加，新增了5个项目和16个培训岗位。这些新增项目以及对诊断熟练程度的更多重视、加强临床化学和质量保证培训的努力以及博士 - 住院医师联合项目的持续开展，将有助于满足学术界、诊断实验室和行业对更多合格临床病理学家的需求。
