The Anatomic Pathology Electronic Case Series (APECS) Program is an interactive, online continuing medical education activity which is sponsored by the United States and Canadian Academy of Pathology (USCAP). It is intended for practicing pathologists and pathologists in training. Content is provided by the membership of the Academy, and individuals interested in becoming an author are encouraged to submit proposals.

How it works:
Participants subscribe to a series of cases. You determine how frequently you would like to be sent email notifications of new cases in your subscription. You choose whether or not you want to include each case in your subscription. Each APECS case consists of a single virtual microscope slide. Users are able to "order" ancillary studies from a list of available studies. Results are displayed immediately. Three multiple choice questions introduce the topic to the user and define key discussion points for the case. If a participant is unsure that they wish to accept the case, all of the preliminary information is availabel to view from the link they receive via email. The case will not be counted against their subscription until they submit responses to the questions. After submitting your responses, dynamic statistics showing the distribution of responses from all prior participants are displayed, allowing peer comparison. A detailed discussion with images and references is provided. Each case is designed to be completed in about an hour, including reviewing the slide, answering the questions, and reviewing the discussion and associated pertinent literature.

Subscriptions are available here as follows:

# APECS CasesUSCAP Member Subscriptions Non-member Subscriptions
1$40 $50
4$120 $150
6$150 (includes 15% discount) $190
8$195 (includes 20% discount) $245

Features of the APECS Program include:
  • Up-to-date, peer reviewed content

  • Case based approach

  • Immediate feedback

  • Simulation of real case workups, including use of ancillary tests

  • Peer comparisons for ancillary test selection and answers to questions

  • Exposure to virtual microscopy technology

  • Continuing Medical Education and/or Self-Assessment Module credit

  • Cases can be viewed anywhere in the world, from any internet connected computer

  • You decide how frequently you wish to review cases

  • You decide which cases to include in your subscription, allowing you to select material which is most appropriate for your practice

  • Come back to the case as often as you like for up to a year after your response submission.

  • Print quality PDFs of cases for download for those who prefer a hard copy for review & reference.


This Program has been planned and implemented in accordance with the Essential Areas and Policies of the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME). The USCAP is accredited by the ACCME to provide continuing medical education for physicians and takes responsibility for the content, quality, and scientific integrity of this CME activity. The USCAP has also been approved by the American Board of Pathology to provide Self-Assessment Module credits.

The USCAP designates this enduring material for a maximum of 57 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™. Physicians should only claim the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

The American Medical Association has determined that physicians not licensed in the US who participate in this CME activity are eligible for AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™.

Objectives of the APECS Program

  • Learn about new developments in the diagnosis, classification, and prognosis of disease

  • Appropriately select and interpret ancillary studies in the diagnostic evaluation of cases

  • Gain experience using virtual microscopy technology

The APECS program was launched in December 2008, with content provided by the membership of the Academy. All content is copyrighted by the authors and the USCAP. To assure the quality of the content, all educational offerings available through the eAcademy undergo a peer review process coordinated by the eAcademy's Editorial Board.

Each case, after it has been available for a maximum of two years, undergoes a re-review process to determine continued relevance. Authors may be asked to update the discussion or questions or ancillary tests available. Cases that are determined to be no longer applicable or irreparably out of date will be removed from the case bank and no longer available to subscribers for CME or SAM credit.

NOTE: To subscribe to the APECS Program, you must have a User Account for the USCAP Web Site. All USCAP members have accounts (your member number is your account number, and your last name is your password). If you are NOT a USCAP member, but would still like to subscribe, you can get a non-member account, for free, by contacting the USCAP helpdesk.

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Click here to view a sample APECS case.