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Curriculum to Career: A Qualitative Study of Pathologists' Assistant Graduates' Experiences

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Title: Curriculum to Career: A Qualitative Study of Pathologists' Assistant Graduates' Experiences
Language: English
Authors: Leeying Lau, Jina J. Y. Kum (ORCID 0000-0003-0549-0275)
Source: Anatomical Sciences Education. 2026 19(3):397-404.
Availability: Wiley. Available from: John Wiley & Sons, Inc. 111 River Street, Hoboken, NJ 07030. Tel: 800-835-6770; e-mail: cs-journals@wiley.com; Web site: https://www.wiley.com/en-us
Peer Reviewed: Y
Page Count: 8
Publication Date: 2026
Document Type: Journal Articles
Reports - Research
Education Level: Higher Education
Postsecondary Education
Descriptors: Foreign Countries, Allied Health Personnel, Anatomy, Graduate Students, Allied Health Occupations Education, Career Choice, Small Classes, Clinical Experience, On the Job Training, Student Attitudes
Geographic Terms: Canada
DOI: 10.1002/ase.70155
ISSN: 1935-9772
1935-9780
Abstract: The field of pathologists' assistants (PathAs) has evolved significantly, with formal education programs now playing a crucial role in professional training. This study explores the educational experiences of PathA graduates in Canada, focusing on how accredited programs prepare students for professional practice. Eight PathAs who graduated from an accredited PathA program and were currently employed at the London Health Sciences Center in London, Ontario, participated in qualitative interviews about their educational experiences. Key themes were identified regarding motivations for entering the field, strengths and challenges of the training process, and the transition into professional practice. Participants emphasized the benefits of small class sizes, hands-on clinical rotations, and diverse institutional exposure in their education. However, challenges such as the disconnect between didactic and clinical training and the need for improved assessments during clinical rotations were identified. While graduates generally reported feeling well prepared for their roles, some noted that the transition to independent practice required additional adaptation. The study also highlights the increasing standardization of PathA education, the decline of on-the-job training pathways, and the growing need for greater public awareness of the profession. The findings suggest that integrating more practical training earlier in the curriculum, improving clinical assessments, and increasing awareness of the PathA profession through interdisciplinary initiatives could enhance educational outcomes. These insights provide guidance for current and future programs to enhance their curricula, support smooth transitions to practice, and raise awareness of the PathA profession.
Abstractor: As Provided
Entry Date: 2026
Accession Number: EJ1499817
Database: ERIC
FullText Text:
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  Data: Curriculum to Career: A Qualitative Study of Pathologists' Assistant Graduates' Experiences
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Leeying+Lau%22">Leeying Lau</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Jina+J%2E+Y%2E+Kum%22">Jina J. Y. Kum</searchLink> (ORCID <externalLink term="https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0549-0275">0000-0003-0549-0275</externalLink>)
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="SO" term="%22Anatomical+Sciences+Education%22"><i>Anatomical Sciences Education</i></searchLink>. 2026 19(3):397-404.
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  Data: Wiley. Available from: John Wiley & Sons, Inc. 111 River Street, Hoboken, NJ 07030. Tel: 800-835-6770; e-mail: cs-journals@wiley.com; Web site: https://www.wiley.com/en-us
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  Data: Journal Articles<br />Reports - Research
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Foreign+Countries%22">Foreign Countries</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Allied+Health+Personnel%22">Allied Health Personnel</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Anatomy%22">Anatomy</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Graduate+Students%22">Graduate Students</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Allied+Health+Occupations+Education%22">Allied Health Occupations Education</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Career+Choice%22">Career Choice</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Small+Classes%22">Small Classes</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Clinical+Experience%22">Clinical Experience</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22On+the+Job+Training%22">On the Job Training</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Student+Attitudes%22">Student Attitudes</searchLink>
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  Data: 10.1002/ase.70155
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  Data: 1935-9772<br />1935-9780
– Name: Abstract
  Label: Abstract
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  Data: The field of pathologists' assistants (PathAs) has evolved significantly, with formal education programs now playing a crucial role in professional training. This study explores the educational experiences of PathA graduates in Canada, focusing on how accredited programs prepare students for professional practice. Eight PathAs who graduated from an accredited PathA program and were currently employed at the London Health Sciences Center in London, Ontario, participated in qualitative interviews about their educational experiences. Key themes were identified regarding motivations for entering the field, strengths and challenges of the training process, and the transition into professional practice. Participants emphasized the benefits of small class sizes, hands-on clinical rotations, and diverse institutional exposure in their education. However, challenges such as the disconnect between didactic and clinical training and the need for improved assessments during clinical rotations were identified. While graduates generally reported feeling well prepared for their roles, some noted that the transition to independent practice required additional adaptation. The study also highlights the increasing standardization of PathA education, the decline of on-the-job training pathways, and the growing need for greater public awareness of the profession. The findings suggest that integrating more practical training earlier in the curriculum, improving clinical assessments, and increasing awareness of the PathA profession through interdisciplinary initiatives could enhance educational outcomes. These insights provide guidance for current and future programs to enhance their curricula, support smooth transitions to practice, and raise awareness of the PathA profession.
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      – SubjectFull: Allied Health Personnel
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      – SubjectFull: Anatomy
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      – SubjectFull: Graduate Students
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      – SubjectFull: Allied Health Occupations Education
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      – SubjectFull: Career Choice
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      – SubjectFull: Small Classes
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      – SubjectFull: Clinical Experience
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      – SubjectFull: On the Job Training
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      – SubjectFull: Student Attitudes
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      – SubjectFull: Canada
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