Residency Training
The Department of Laboratories, Philippine General Hospital, in conjunction with the Department of Pathology, UP College of Medicine, offers a four-year, combined Anatomic and Clinical Pathology residency program. It aims to produce well-rounded pathologists who are knowledgeable not only in all areas of pathology but also in the field of Forensic Science, of which it is the only center in the country to offer a legitimate exposure.
In the first year of training, the resident reviews basic histology and pathology and is introduced to clinico-pathologic correlation through the performance of medical and forensic autopsies. He/she is also introduced into surgical and clinical pathology. Rotations in clinical pathology at this time usually include the sections of immunochemistry and the blood bank. By the end of the year, the resident will have accomplished a case report/case series as a research requirement.
In the second year, the resident is more deeply involved in surgical pathology through the processing and interpretation of specimens from the charity wards and the outpatient department. He/she is also introduced into cytology and pap smears. In clinical pathology, the resident usually rotates in the sections of clinical chemistry and clinical microscopy. By the end of the year, the resident will have accomplished a retrospective study as a research requirement.
The third year resident is introduced into the processing and interpretation of frozen section and CT/UTZ/Brochoscope-guided biopsy specimens as well as specimens from the pay wards. Clinical rotations at this point include the sections of microbiology and hematology. By the end of the year, the resident will have accomplished a research proposal for a prospective study.
In the final year of training, the resident polishes his/her skills in anatomic pathology by handling the pay/frozen/cytology/paps specimens. He/she is also given the role of being one of the mentors of the more junior residents. Rotations in clinical pathology are usually wherever the resident has not rotated yet. By the end of the year, the resident will have accomplished a prospective research paper.
The resident, in the course of his/her training, is also exposed to teaching by lecturing to medical and paramedical students both in laboratory modules and in the classroom setting.
The several research papers that the residents are required to accomplish are recognized, presented, and evaluated in the yearly research forum. The outstanding papers are reprinted in poster form and presented in the yearly convention.
The residents also participate in other activities involving other centers, such as inter-hospital slide conferences and clinico-pathologic conferences. They are also regular participants, with a winning tradition, of the yearly Physician’s Association Night.
