Goals and guidelines for residency training in cytopathology

The time available to train residents in cytopathology has been impacted by the contraction of the training period, in the face of growing expectations for training in other facets of anatomic pathology and laboratory medicine (i.e. molecular genetic pathology, laboratory management and administration). Guidelines for appropriate levels of achievement in cytopathology have been proposed by those within the field, under the guidance of the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME). Presented here is a discussion of recommendations for training programs, in order to effectively train residents to an acceptable level of competence in cytopathology, within the training time allotted.