A mentor-based laboratory management elective for residents

With the evolution of health care delivery systems, laboratories are being viewed as cost centers, and their value is being continually challenged. Th is requires pathologists to be adequately trained as leaders and managers. New training curricula for pathology residents have been developed, includi ng combined didactic and mentor-based training. At the University of Utah, Salt Lake City, the combination of a large academic pathology department wi th a wholly owned commercial laboratory has allowed the development of a co mprehensive 1-month didactic management course for senior residents. This c ourse is designed to develop a broad-based foundation in laboratory managem ent principles. The reinforcement of many of these principles, however; req uires additional hands-on effort We describe our first experience with this 1-month, theory based-teaching followed by a 3-month "real-world" experien ce based on a one-on-one mentor relationship between the director of labora tories and a senior resident, who assumed the role of the assistant directo r of laboratories.