Innovative methods in laboratory medicine resident teaching.

Many methodologies have been employed in training laboratory medicine (clinical pathology) residents. Apprenticeship activities (observing and reproducing the job of an attending clinical pathologist in a direct practice setting) likely remain the most popular for trainees and arguably one of the most effective. The utility and current status of morning report, journal club, resident-led-grand rounds style presentations, faculty didactics, research by residents, placing residents specifically in the role of teachers themselves, hands-on activities in clinical laboratories, and emerging computer-based learning modalities are compared with each other and to similar exercises in other medical disciplines.