Author/Authors :
Henricks, Walter H. Pathology and Laboratory Medicine Institute - Center for Pathology Informatics - Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio , Karcher, Donald S. Department of Pathology - George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Washington, DC , Harrison Jr James H. Departments of Public Health Sciences and Pathology - University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville , Sinard, John H. Department of Pathology - Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut , Riben, Michael W. Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine - The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston , Boyer, Philip J. Department of Pathology - East Carolina University - Brody School of Medicine, Greenville, North Carolina , Plath, Sue CAP Learning - College of American Pathologists, Northfield, Illinois , Thompson, Arlene CAP Learning - College of American Pathologists, Northfield, Illinois , Pantanowitz, Liron Department of Pathology - University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Abstract :
Context:
Recognition of the importance of informatics to the practice of pathology has surged. Training residents in pathology informatics has been a daunting task for most residency programs in the United States because faculty often lacks experience and training resources. Nevertheless, developing resident competence in informatics is essential for the future of pathology as a specialty.
Objective:
To develop and deliver a pathology informatics curriculum and instructional framework that guides pathology residency programs in training residents in critical pathology informatics knowledge and skills, and meets Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education Informatics Milestones.
Design:
The College of American Pathologists, Association of Pathology Chairs, and Association for Pathology Informatics formed a partnership and expert work group to identify critical pathology informatics training outcomes and to create a highly adaptable curriculum and instructional approach, supported by a multiyear change management strategy.
Results:
Pathology Informatics Essentials for Residents (PIER) is a rigorous approach for educating all pathology residents in important pathology informatics knowledge and skills. PIER includes an instructional resource guide and toolkit for incorporating informatics training into residency programs that vary in needs, size, settings, and resources. PIER is available at http://www.apcprods.org/PIER (accessed April 6, 2016).
Conclusions:
PIER is an important contribution to informatics training in pathology residency programs. PIER introduces pathology trainees to broadly useful informatics concepts and tools that are relevant to practice. PIER provides residency program directors with a means to implement a standardized informatics training curriculum, to adapt the approach to local program needs, and to evaluate resident performance and progress over time.
