Careers in pathology

“Is it the forensic work you see on TV programmes like Silent Witness and Midsomer Murders?” Is it the work you see in tv programmes like Silent Witness and CSI? (ask the audience what they think) A recent survey found that 60% of people believe that pathologists only cut up dead people and less than 33% know that pathologists diagnose diseases of living people. (ask audience if they knew that pathologists work with the living). What is pathology?

Pathology is the study of disease Pathologists are either doctors with specialist laboratory training or scientists with specialist clinical training Although, pathology is often only associated only with autopsies – this is a misconception. Pathology is the study of disease. Pathologists specialise in the detection of disease through the use of a variety of investigative techniques. Their work can be vital in finding an accurate and early diagnosis – thus improving the prospects for treatment and thereby fundamental to the management of many diseases. Pathologists also play an important role in identifying sources of disease and reducing the possible risks of further spread. Many major advances have been made in medical practice as a result of work carried out by pathologists – immunisation against infectious diseases, organ transplantation, safe blood transfusion are just some examples. Pathology is the study of disease

Prevention, diagnosis, treatment Although, pathology is often only associated only with autopsies – this is a misconception. Pathology is the study of disease. Pathologists specialise in the detection of disease through the use of a variety of investigative techniques. Their work can be vital in finding an accurate and early diagnosis – thus improving the prospects for treatment and thereby fundamental to the management of many diseases. Pathologists also play an important role in identifying sources of disease and reducing the possible risks of further spread. Many major advances have been made in medical practice as a result of work carried out by pathologists – immunisation against infectious diseases, organ transplantation, safe blood transfusion are just some examples. Prevention, diagnosis, treatment

Histopathologists Look at tissues and cells removed from patients Use microscopes and a trained eye to discover disease Tell the patient’s doctor what is wrong (sum up in one sentence what histopathology is about and try to make it personal e.g. have you ever had a biopsy? A histopathologist would have examined that under the microscope) A Histopathologist looks at tissues and cells removed from patients in the clinic or during an operation and uses a trained eye to discover if a disease is present and what course of action needs to be taken. The tissue is examined first with the naked eye to look for any visible abnormalities and to select pieces to examine in more detail. These small pieces are treated so that very thin slices can be cut. The slices are then looked at under a microscope and the histopathologist tells the patient’s doctor what is wrong and often provides information about the correct treatment. Histopathologists are the people who diagnose cancers and other serious illnesses but they also often have good news, discovering that a lump or mole is completely benign and is nothing to worry about. Some histopathologists also carry out post mortem examinations to find out why someone has died.

Histopathologists Diagnose cancers and other serious illnesses... ..but they also often have good news Carry out post mortem examinations to find out why someone has died Histopathologists are the people who diagnose cancers and other serious illnesses but they also often have good news, discovering that a lump or mole is completely benign and is nothing to worry about. Some histopathologists also carry out post mortem examinations to find out why someone has died.

Skills required Good attention to detail and an eye for patterns Being able to make decisions under pressure Communication skills Being able to work as part of a team A good attention to detail for examining tissue to make diagnoses. Many diseases look very similar so being able to spot small differences will help choose the right answer. Being able to work under pressure as you may be given a frozen section to test while a patient is having an operation. This involves freezing a piece of tissue and looking at thin slices under the microscope while the surgeon, and the patient, wait for your answer. The next step of the operation depends on what you find. Histopathologists spend most of their time working with living people so need good communication skills to be able to explain the results of their investigations. Histopathologists work as part of a team with a wide range of health professionals including other doctors, scientists, nurses, dieticians and secretarial staff. Skills required

Haematologists Study and treat diseases of the blood cells and bone marrow Diagnose and treat blood clotting abnormalities Responsible for ensuring that blood transfusions are safe (sum up in one sentence what haematology is about and try to make it personal e.g. have you ever had a blood test? A haematologist would have looked at your blood)

Haematologists Care for people with anaemia, leukaemias, thrombosis and bleeding problems such as haemophilia Work in labs diagnosing disease, as well as caring for patients

Skills required Interpersonal skills Being able to empathise with patients Interpretative skills Good written communication skills Haematologists work closely with both patients and labs, so inter-personal skills are essential. Skills required

Medical microbiologists Used to mainly work in labs but now see patients Give advice about many infection control issues Give advice on the correct treatment of infections Important in combating antimicrobial resistance (sum up in one sentence what microbiology is about and try to make it personal e.g. have you heard of MRSA etc?) Medical Microbiology used to be a mainly lab based specialty but now microbiologists are out on the wards seeing patients and advising on the treatment and investigation of all types of infection. Medical microbiologists also give advice about many infection control issues, trying to make sure that infections do not spread from one patient to another. Microbiologists advise on the correct treatment of infections, making sure that antibiotics are not prescribed inappropriately.

Medical microbiologists Collaborate with colleagues and deal directly with patients, as well as work in the lab Make new and unexpected discoveries impacting on patients’ health

Skills required Patience Curiosity Team player Persistent Good communicator You will need to be patient, inquisitive, a team player, adaptable and persistent in tracking down the results. You will need to be a good communicator to stress to your colleagues the importance of maintaining excellent infection control standards. Skills required

Clinical biochemists Diagnose diseases where the body’s chemistry goes wrong Test body fluids such as blood, urine, saliva and spinal fluid Work in the lab but also have an important clinical role (sum up in one sentence what clinical biochemistry is about and try to make it personal e.g. Diabetes) Clinical biochemistry is about diagnosing diseases where the body’s chemistry goes wrong. Knowing the contents of your body fluids can help your doctor make a diagnosis or indicate which body organ is not working properly. Body fluids such as blood, urine, saliva and spinal fluid are tested in Clinical Biochemistry laboratories. The level of sodium or glucose or enzymes are used by your doctor to make a diagnosis of diseases like Diabetes Mellitus or Renal Failure. As well as working in the lab performing biochemical tests for diagnosis and management of illnesses, biochemists have an important clinical role, advising on the management of patients with metabolic disturbances as well as running out-patient clinics.

Clinical biochemists Spend time looking at patients’ test results to see what is normal and what is abnormal Abnormal results will be discussed with patient’s doctor Clinical Biochemists spend time looking at patient test results to see what is normal and what is abnormal. Abnormal results will be phoned to the patient’s Doctor or Nurse to discuss whether they are expected because the patient has a disease or whether they indicate a new disease for that patient.

Skills required Communication skills An eye for detail Leadership skills Organisational skills A good understanding of both practical laboratory work and medical knowledge. Excellent communication skills are essential to explain your work to a range of colleagues. An eye for detail to recognise patterns when looking at blood results, for example. Leadership skills, confidence and organisational skills are needed to manage a lab and interact with senior hospital staff. Skills required

Immunologists Deal with a wide range of clinical problems, including genetic and acquired immune deficiencies Work in many different areas of biomedical research, as well as in healthcare (sum up in one sentence what immunology is about and try to make it personal e.g. Do you have an allergies? Hands up who has asthma? Immunologists study the causes) Immunologists deal with a wide range of clinical problems, including genetic and acquired immune deficiencies. Immunologists work in many different areas of biomedical research, as well as in healthcare, agriculture and environmental monitoring. Because Immunology can be applied to several other scientific disciplines it impacts on many areas of conventional medicine.

Immunologists Investigate why the immune system can attack the body's own tissues Develop vaccines to combat diseases like HIV Study the causes of allergies Investigate ways to stop the body rejecting transplants Immunologists investigate why the immune system can attack the body's own tissues, causing diseases like diabetes and rheumatoid arthritis. Develop vaccines to combat diseases like meningitis and HIV. Study the causes of allergies. Investigate ways to stop the body rejecting transplants.

Skills required Communication skills Management skills Excellent ability in biology Problem solving Being able to work independently Communication skills for liaising with other medical professionals. Management skills required for the running of an Immunology laboratory. Have a high level of interest and ability in biology Be good at solving problems . Have a logical mind. Be able to work methodically and keep meticulous records of research. Be able to take their own initiative and work independently. Skills required

Pathology – did you knows…? . Pathology is involved in over 70% of diagnoses... ...that’s 14 tests for every person in England per year . There are 17 ‘specialties’ in pathology… ...including veterinary pathology and neuropathology (Add the personal touch and maybe talk about why what you do is so valuable) 400 million biochemistry tests 120 million haematology tests 30 million microbiology requests 13 million histopathology slides £2.5 billion expenditure . Around 1% of all pathologists work in forensic pathology

www.rcpath.org/careers Find out more royalcollegeofpathologists (Add the personal touch and maybe talk about why what you do is so valuable) 400 million biochemistry tests 120 million haematology tests 30 million microbiology requests 13 million histopathology slides £2.5 billion expenditure www.rcpath.org/careers

Any questions? Thank you Communication skills for liaising with other medical professionals. Management skills required for the running of an Immunology laboratory. Have a high level of interest and ability in biology Be good at solving problems . Have a logical mind. Be able to work methodically and keep meticulous records of research. Be able to take their own initiative and work independently. Thank you