As factors converge to change the face of pathology and laboratory medicine, ASCP holds a mirror on the future of the profession, focusing educational sessions at its upcoming Annual Meeting in Baltimore on new tests and technologies, changing roles in the big healthcare picture, and globalization. Molecular pathology and the exponential growth in the use of information technology in practice are central to the focus.

With more sessions on molecular diagnostics, advocacy and legal issues, real-world advice for practice management, up-to-the-minute updates, and firsthand reports from the field, the educational content at this year’s Meeting offers tangible support to every member of our profession.

Molecular Pathology Takes Center Stage

Every day of the Annual Meeting, attendees can attend sessions featuring topics in molecular pathology. “We have an interesting array of molecular discussion topics that apply to almost everybody,” says Dr. Elizabeth Wagar, this year’s Annual Meeting 2008 Program Chair. “You’ll find sessions that cover the clinical side, the practicing pathologist, and specific tools for the anatomic pathologist.”

For example, at the session “Diagnostic Immunology and Molecular Pathology Update” [Thursday morning, October 16], a faculty of leading pathologists from the National Cancer Institute, Johns Hopkins, and the University of Washington Medical Centers will update colleagues on new approaches and techniques; they also will provide hands-on demonstrations. “This will be a feature presentation that crosses over from pathology to discussions of clinical issues,” Wagar says. “This is important, because one of the things we want to encourage in the profession is more integration into clinical care.”

Wagar feels that “Molecular Pathology for Practicing Pathologists,” [Thursday afternoon, October 16], moderated by Dr. Samuel A. Yousem, one of last year’s popular Keynote presenters, is a “must-attend,” particularly for pathologists working in a general practice scenario who are interested in learning more about the applications of new molecular testing for formalin-fixed tissues.

“The Molecular Toolbox for the Anatomic Pathologist” [Saturday morning, Oct. 18], will be an invaluable overview of current applications of molecular diagnostics in breast, colon, urologic, and lung cancer. “This is a very important session for those interested in integrating molecular testing into their anatomic pathology service,” reports Wagar.

Real-World Advice for Residents

While residents are encouraged to attend the entire Annual Meeting, ASCP has set aside a special day just for them [Saturday, October 18]. The day kicks off with the Resident Council Breakfast, featuring frank discussions by current and past ASCP Resident Council Chairs about what residents need to know about getting a job and succeeding in the real world of pathology. The breakfast will be followed by the AJCP Resident Research Symposium, where resident-authored abstracts will be judged for publication in the October issue of the American Journal of Clinical Pathology.

A complimentary luncheon in the Exhibit Hall will be followed immediately by a “can’t miss” two-hour add-on session featuring experts from the American Pathology Foundation (APF), an educational association dedicated to providing quality pathology management programs. The session, which was developed by ASCP Resident Council leaders in collaboration with APF faculty, responds to a real need for residents to hone their management and financial skills before they begin practice or enter academic positions. The program will also provide much-needed help in preparing for management questions on the ABP Board Examination.

Hot Topics for Laboratory Professionals

Laboratory professionals will be ahead of the curve on some hot topics as well. “On Friday morning, we’ll be talking about vitamin D testing, which is costing laboratories a lot of money, because there is an explosion in the testing related to disease associations. We’ll also be talking about some new tests in hematology, as well as MRSA and its potential impact on public health. We’ll be joined by Dr. Tom Thompson of Evanston [IL] Northwestern Healthcare, where a lot of that research was originally done,” says Wagar.

“We always have a special symposium for transfusion medicine. This year, we’ll focus on blood utilization in the ER or trauma center, with speakers from Baltimore who can speak to the topic, which is a regional issue for them.”

Meeting New Challenges

Topics of other sessions say it all. The healthcare environment faces real challenges. “Staying Legal in an Uncertain World – The Update,” [Friday morning, October 17], will bring attendees current on what’s happening on the business side of pathology and provide recommendations for combating new threats to the practice of surgical pathology. “This is always a fascinating discussion,” Wagar says. “We get people together in a room to discuss what advocacy issues are out there for pathology and what things related to the practice are occurring at the government and legal level.”

“Synergizing the Healthcare Team” [Saturday morning, October 18], will recognize the growing importance of collaboration by pathologists with physicians, nurses, laboratorians, and other members of the healthcare team. A medical technologist, clinician, and registered nurse will present techniques for improving professional relationships from their unique perspectives.

“Medicare on the Brink: How Pathology Can Survive the Baby Boomer Bust” will be the featured program at the ASCP Fellow Council Forum Breakfast [Friday morning, October 17]. With the recent passage of the ASCP-supported Medicare fix, this will be a unique opportunity to hear directly from ASCP leaders about how public policy is affecting our profession and how we can prepare to address the future.

HIV: Where We’ve Been and Where We’re Going

“HIV/AIDS: A Perspective on Lessons from the Past and Prospects for the Future, the Scientific Keynote by Dr. Robert Gallo [Friday morning, October 17], is “very important, especially in view of the mission of ASCP with our PEPFAR programs and global interaction in terms of HIV disease and testing,” Wagar says.

“We’re about 20 years out since HIV was big news,” Wagar says. “Not only can Dr. Gallo provide perspective on the discovery of the HIV virus, because he was involved; he can also give us a sense of where we’re going globally with HIV.”

To find more about these and other sessions planned for the 2008 ASCP Annual Meeting program, click here.