Interestingly, researchers have actually studied the specific traits that are common among high-quality pathologists. This kind of continued involvement in the pathology field while in medical school can improve your chances of securing a postgraduate training position at a four-year pathology program, which have become very competitive. “They’ll see a lot of pathology slides, write about them, and also get involved in teaching pathology to students in small groups.” “During their fourth year of medical school, students can opt for a one-month elective back in Grenada,” Dr. There are also other ways students can hone their pathology expertise. SGU, for example, provides opportunities for students to participate in a pathology observership-a chance to become more familiar with interesting specimens and cases in the pathology department’s diagnostic lab during their first two years. Bhusnurmath notes that it’s particularly important for students interested in pathology to start getting involved early in their education. You won’t take the final USMLE test until residency, where you’ll also obtain board certification.ĭr. And as with other medical specialties, you’ll begin the United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) series during medical school. The final two years will be spent completing clinical rotations to get more familiar working with patients. You’ll devote the first half of your education to classroom instruction and lab work. You first need to attend a four-year medical school to build a solid educational foundation. The road to a career in pathology starts out the same as it does for any other medical field. There are also numerous subspecialties pathologists can pursue through fellowship training and the corresponding certification. A physician can also choose to become board-certified pathologists in both branches. The former focus on analyzing laboratory results while the latter are more concerned with examining structural changes in tissue samples. There are two primary types of pathologists: clinical pathologists and anatomic pathologists. Perform autopsies to determine things like the underlying disease process and cause of death.Examine biopsies to diagnose cancer or other conditions.Run blood sugar tests to help diabetic patients determine the proper medication dosage.Perform fine needle aspirations on lymph nodes, the thyroid, etc.They can also work up slides to identify whether there are any changes related to human papillomavirus (HPV) Study pap smears to detect cervical cancer or pre-cancer.Conduct blood investigations to look for bleeding disorders as well as abnormalities in blood chemistry and cells.Bhusnurmath also highlights the following as common pathologist duties: On any given day, a pathology doctor may investigate health issues ranging from cancer to blood disorders like anemia. “They’re experts in predicting-if a cell or structure is altered in a certain way, the patient will have these symptoms,” Dr. Pathologists can even help identify an appropriate treatment plan based on their knowledge of what the patient is likely to experience in the coming days and weeks. Pathologists are sometimes called “the doctor’s doctor.” That’s because they’re the ones who help a patient’s physician make or confirm a diagnosis by studying tissue and fluid samples. Pathology doctors help solidify that into a definitive diagnosis. Clinical diagnosis alone is the physician’s best, most reasonable guess. “Pathology is the basis of all clinical medicine,” he says, explaining that pathologists are tasked with determining not only what a disease is, but why that disease occurred, how the tissues may have been damaged, and what functional changes took place. “Pathology is the basis of all clinical medicine.” George’s University (SGU) School of Medicine, offers a bit more clarity. Shivayogi Bhusnurmath, dean of academic affairs and co-chair of the Department of Pathology at St. Pathology is vaguely defined as the study of disease. You could take your natural sense of curiosity, combine it with your fervor for science, and play a critical role in helping provide patients with answers they’re seeking.īut what does a pathologist do exactly? And how can you become one? Read on to learn more about this unique medical specialty. If you’re seeking a medical career that calls on you to be the problem solver, you might be a natural fit for pathology. But there’s a lot of behind-the-scenes work that needs to come before symptoms and tests can be translated into a concrete diagnosis. Patients are accustomed to their primary care physicians communicating diagnoses.
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