Pathology - What lies beneath...

PATHOLOGY is a medical specialty that provides the scientific foundation for all medical practice. Pathology literally means the study of disease. A pathologist works along with other medical specialties, using the tools of laboratory medicine (histology, cytology, biochemistry, molecular biology, etc.) to provide information. Because of its broad and diverse nature, pathology has the flexibility to accommodate most individuals. Many pathologists are generalists concerned with all facets of disease that are analysed in the laboratory. Others specialise and interact with clinical sub-specialists. Wherever and whatever they practice, their findings are fundamental to medical diagnosis, patient management and research.

A pathologist's role in medical practice is diverse. They can serve as:* Consultants to the physician

* Consultants to the patient

* Directors of laboratories

* Leaders in administration

* Researchers, or

* Educators

As consultants, they can be considered the "doctor's doctor". Pathologists participate in the day-to-day care of hospital patients by providing and interpreting laboratory information. Most work in hospital laboratories or in outpatient reference laboratories. In private practice pathology, the pathologist spends most of his time directing the operation of the laboratory and diagnosing the biopsies from surgeries.

Pathologists can also work in an administrative capacity overseeing the functions of laboratories, carry out basic research as medical scientists or even take to teaching.

This is one branch of medicine, which provides a great opportunity to make teaching and research as a career. Otherwise too, there are a number of jobs available for qualified and trained pathologists.

Work

Pathology is divided into 2 major categories

Anatomic and Clinical and experimental pathology.

Anatomic pathology deals with the tissue diagnosis. Clinical pathology deals with the laboratory test diagnosis. Anatomic pathologists analyse the changes caused by disease in the body. The clinical pathologist is responsible for the clinical laboratories, which cover hematology, clinical chemistry (including toxicology), microbiology (including immunology), and the blood bank (transfusion medicine). In addition, there is a corresponding expertise in every area of medicine and surgery. For example, some pathologists choose to develop expertise in a very narrow field such as bone pathology or kidney pathology. These pathologists usually practice in academic, forensic or university settings.

Qualifications

Pathology is included as a general subject in MBBS. One has to take it up as a specialisation at the postgraduate level (MD/MS) to be a trained pathologist. Thus in addition to the usual 4 years of college, there is an additional 4 years of medical school including one year of internship. There are several subspecialties, which the pathologist can pursue to gain additional expertise. Depending upon the subspecialty, this can range from 1 to 3 additional years of training.

A pathologist's work schedule closely follows the schedule of the ORs . He is often called upon to immediately examine surgical specimens in the operating room. Critical responsibilities for the pathologist include:

Quality assurance

Assuring the results that are reported are accurate

Liaison with the medical staff

Assuring the results are communicated to the rest of the medical staff in a coherent manner

Leadership

Providing direction and guidance for the laboratory and hospital

As the popular belief goes pathologists are neither just autopsy performers nor are they hotshot investigators looking into celebrity deaths. They are essentially problem solvers using modern technology to unlock medical mysteries for the better health of mankind.

PADMA

padma.hyd@cxknetworks.com