ASCP 2019: Next Generation Pathology—Strategies to Engage Millennial Learners

By Karen A. Moser, MD, FASCP, and Kristi J. Smock, MD, FASCP

How do generational characteristics inform our preferences for learning and working habits?  What does the medical education literature have to tell us about how to capture the attention of today’s students, residents and fellows? If you would like to explore these and other questions about educating the next generation of laboratory professionals, consider attending our ASCP 2019 Annual Meeting session, “Next Generation Pathology—Strategies to Engage Millennial Learners.”

Educating our future colleagues in medical laboratory science and pathology is a key task facing university faculty, laboratory supervisors, and laboratory managers. “Millennial” represents the predominant generational identity of laboratory science students, medical students, and house staff today. It is essential to consider generational differences both in designing curricula and in helping learners shape their new professional identities. We will also consider the needs of adult learners more generally, and how these may overlap with generational preferences.

We will review key strategies described in medical education literature, such as mentoring, active learning strategies (with and without advanced technology resources), and providing effective, timely feedback. The changing expectations of today’s learners challenge training programs and workplaces to reconsider previous methods of instruction. 

We are looking forward to hearing your thoughts during small group discussion, in which we will consider real-world scenarios and identify the generational characteristics, expectations, and/or values that might influence learner and educator perceptions.

Please join us for a thoughtful conversation about ways to play to the strengths of our newest colleagues in an educational setting!

Learn more about education sessions at ASCP 2019 Annual Meeting here.

Karen A. Moser, MD, FASCP is an assistant professor of pathology, and Kristi J. Smock, MD, FASCP, is an associate professor of pathology at the University of Utah School of Medicine. They both serve as medical directors of the Hemostasis/Thrombosis Laboratory at ARUP Laboratories, in Salt Lake City, Utah. Dr. Smock is also the program director for the University of Utah Pathology Resident Training Program. They will present the session, “Next Generation Pathology—Strategies to Engage Millennial Learners,” on Thursday, September 12, at the ASCP 2019 Annual Meeting in Phoenix.