[Teaching pathology in Germany : The current state of teaching at pathological institutes of German universities in...

The teaching of pathology at the 36 university departments of pathology is influenced by different curriculum structures. Teaching formats and the number of course hours vary considerably in some cases, partly due to structural circumstances at different locations. The teaching content appears to be largely congruent. Most of the medical staff are involved in teaching. The postgraduate training assistants would like good training and time to prepare the courses. The institute directors predominantly rate teaching as very important or important for them personally, whereas their satisfaction with the overall teaching situation at the locations is rated as "moderate." Students are largely satisfied with teaching. In addition to structured, interdisciplinary, and practical teaching, suggestions for improvement include, in particular, opportunities to participate in autopsies, the use of digital formats (e.g., in lectures, microscopy courses), a more precise introduction to the assessment of histopathological findings, and a better presentation of the fields of activity in pathology. Attempts should be made throughout Germany to standardize teaching more in order to better represent the subject to deaneries and examination offices. In addition, efforts should be made to modernize teaching content and methods to make the subject more attractive to potential new recruits.