A Professionalism and Mentoring Curriculum for Pathology Residents in Training

Acad Pathol. 2018 Oct 18:5:2374289518805062. doi: 10.1177/2374289518805062. eCollection 2018 Jan-Dec.

Abstract

Professionalism is a core Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education competency. The Mentoring and Professionalism in Training Program was developed to promote humanism in health-care professionals in our health system. A modified version was implemented in the pathology residency program for professionalism competency. Twenty-one trainees were divided into 3 groups, with a facilitator who was a graduate of the system Mentoring and Professionalism in Training Program. Five sessions included topics on appreciative inquiry, active role modeling, conflict resolution, team building, feedback, mindfulness, and physician well-being. Participants completed pre- and postsurveys. Qualitative responses were very positive, for example, one participant felt the sessions helped "understand intricacies of workplace relationships and ways of effective, respectful, communication." The Mentoring and Professionalism in Training is a curriculum that teaches team building, conflict resolution, and feedback along with strategies to balance well-being with professional commitments and growth. It is an effective educational tool that can satisfy the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education professionalism curriculum.

Keywords: Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education core competency; mentoring; pathology residency training; professionalism; structured curriculum.