From Randy Olsen and colleagues: Training in Genomic Pathology

Richard L. Haspel, Randall J. Olsen, Anna Berry, Charles E. Hill, John D. Pfeifer, Iris Schrijver, and Karen L. Kaul (2014) Progress and Potential: Training in Genomic Pathology. Archives of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine: April 2014, Vol. 138, No. 4, pp. 498-504.

SPECIAL SECTION—THE FUTURE OF PATHOLOGY TRAINING AND TRAINING PROGRAMS, PART II

Progress and Potential: Training in Genomic Pathology

Richard L. Haspel , MD, PhD; Randall J. Olsen , MD, PhD; Anna Berry , MD; Charles E. Hill , MD, PhD; John D. Pfeifer , MD, PhD; IrisSchrijver , MD; Karen L. Kaul , MD, PhD

From the Department of Pathology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts (Dr Haspel); the Department of Pathology and Genomic Medicine, The Methodist Hospital, Houston, Texas (Dr Olsen); the Department of Pathology, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco (Dr Berry); the Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia (Dr Hill); the Department of Pathology, Washington University, St Louis, Missouri (Dr Pfeifer); the Departments of Pathology and Pediatrics and the Center for Genomics and Personalized Medicine, Stanford University Medical Center, Stanford, California (Dr Schrijver); and the Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, NorthShore University HealthSystem, Evanston, Illinois (Dr Kaul).

Context.—Genomic medicine is revolutionizing patient care. Physicians in areas as diverse as oncology, obstetrics, and infectious disease have begun using next-generation sequencing assays as standard diagnostic tools.

Objective.—To review the role of pathologists in genomic testing as well as current educational programs and future training needs in genomic pathology.

Data Sources.—Published literature as well as personal experience based on committee membership and genomic pathology curricular design.

Conclusions.—Pathologists, as the directors of the clinical laboratories, must be prepared to integrate genomic testing into their practice. The pathology community has made significant progress in genomics-related education. A continued coordinated and proactive effort will ensure a future vital role for pathologists in the evolving health care system and also the best possible patient care.