UNITED STATES & CANADIAN ACADEMY OF PATHOLOGY

Purpose and Mission

The United States & Canadian Academy of Pathology's mission is to provide pathologists with high quality continuing medical education (CME) at the investigative and applied practice level and to reinforce and update attendees' knowledge of pathology in their area(s) of interest and need in the understanding of pathologic processes.

This mission is accomplished by a broad CME program which includes various topics and forums of particular intellectual and professional interest where participants can engage in presentation, discussion and critical evaluation of the application of scientific, technological and methodological advances to matters related to human health and disease. Specifically these include lectures, seminars, symposia, courses with extemporaneous discussion and critical evaluation, question and answer sessions, and the distribution of instructional materials for the purpose of meeting identifiable educational needs. The program is planned to meet the needs of pathologists of various levels of experience from residents and fellows to the well-established and expert investigator and practitioner. The effectiveness in meeting registrant needs is assessed by their satisfaction as evidenced by comparative and annual attendance monitoring and by registrant evaluations as to the improvement of their knowledge and skills relevant to their pathology practice.

GENERAL TYPES OF SERVICES AND ACTIVITIES

  1. An Annual Meeting will be held which includes, but is not limited to: proffered papers and poster presentations representing new basic and clinical scientific information presented by meeting attendees; long courses and special courses for in depth review of recent concepts and advances in pathology; specialty conference slide seminars where pathologists can meet acknowledged experts and engage in discussion of specific and important cases; short courses on organ or topic oriented pathology; and, plenary lectures on topics of special interest.

  2. The Academy will present an annual pathology practice update course, Diagnostic Pathology, to provide updated practical knowledge in anatomical pathology for residents, surgical pathologists and academicians constituted of lecture presentations accompanied by a bound syllabus and representative images for future reference by attendees.

  3. The Academy will present an annual, physician oriented, Diagnostic Cytopathology course addressing problems and pitfalls in differential diagnoses of perplexing problems commonly encountered by cytopathologists and anatomic pathologists in their day to day practice.

  4. The Academy will present an annual course, Practical Pathology Seminars, designed to provide updated, pragmatic, problem-solving information for practicing anatomic pathologists. It will focus on the resolution of diagnostic pitfalls in an array of difficult areas of surgical pathology.

  5. The Academy will support the Biennial Congress of the International Academy of Pathology and other IAP Divisions around the world as resources permit.

  6. The Academy will also publish two peer-reviewed journals, Laboratory Investigation and Modern Pathology, to disseminate information on current research and significant advances in the understanding of pathology diagnosis and practice.

  7. The Academy will provide electronic educational offerings.

This Mission Statement was reviewed and revised by the Education Committee and Council in March 2012 and the specific addendum was adopted in March 2009 and revised in 2012.

ADDENDUM TO THE USCAP MISSION STATEMENT FOR CONTINUING MEDICAL EDUCATION

Purpose: The purpose of the USCAP is to provide pathologists with high quality continuing medical education (CME) at the investigative and applied practice level and to reinforce and update attendees' knowledge of pathology in their area(s) of interest and need in the understanding of pathologic processes.

Content: The content of the USCAP is Anatomic Pathology including Molecular Pathology.

Target Audience: The target audience of the USCAP is pathologists at all levels including trainees, fellows, academicians, researchers and private practitioners.

Type of Activities: The types of activities are listed from 1 to 7 in the missions statement and include the Annual Meeting, the Diagnostic Pathology Update Course, Practical Pathology Seminars, Diagnostic Cytopathology Course, and the support of other meetings such as the IAP International Congress of Pathology. In addition, the USCAP publishes two scientific journals.

Expected Results: USCAP expects to improve and refresh the critical knowledge and skills relevant to the practice of pathology at any level of the profession. The effectiveness in meeting registrant needs is assessed by their satisfaction as evidenced by comparative and annual attendance monitoring and by registrant evaluations as to the improvement of their knowledge and skills relevant to their pathology practice.