Preparing Pathologists for a Leading Role in Genomics

About

In 2010, the Training Residents in Genomics (TRIG) Working Group was formed through the Pathology Residency Directors Section (PRODS) of the Association of Pathology Chairs (APC). The goals of this group, made up of experts in medical education, molecular pathology, and clinical genetics, are to develop teaching tools, and promote genomic pathology education. The TRIG Working Group represents a unique collaborative effort in pathology education with members from many major pathology organizations and representatives from the National Society of Genetic Counselors, American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics, and the National Coalition for Health Provider Education in Genetics.

The TRIG Working Group has held genomic pathology workshops and courses at the annual meetings of major pathology organizations. An Instructor Handbook and Toolkit are now available to enable residency programs to locally implement similar training.

Based on their accomplishments, the TRIG Working Group received in 2012 an R25 grant from the National Cancer Institute. Providing approximately $1.3 million over five years, this funding will be used, with design support from ASCP, to develop additional educational resources such as online modules as well as assessment tools to determine curriculum efficacy. The specific aims of the grant are:

• Aim #1.- To develop a pathology resident genomic medicine curriculum, with a major focus on cancer care, as well as tools for national implementation.”
• Aim #2.- To evaluate the curriculum using a pre/post-test design at four pathology residency programs using validated assessment tools.”
• Aim #3.- To promote curriculum implementation using the resources of major national pathology organizations so that >90% of pathology residency programs nationwide have high-quality training in cancer genomics by the end of year 5.”
• Aim #4.- To assess the degree of nationwide implementation and efficacy of curricula in genomic medicine using the pathology resident in-service exam (RISE).”

URL: http://www.pathologylearning.org/trig