The American Board of Pathology establishes guidelines for pathology residency training in the United States (ABP). Pathology programs and residencies in other countries, on the other hand, have very similar requirements. According to current ABP guidelines, a minimum of 18 months of structured anatomic and clinical pathology training is required, followed a year of elective study.
Anatomical pathology is the focus of the first part of the pathology residency. Anatomical pathology is the study of the human body’s organs and tissues, as well as how disease affects them. Autopsy, cytology, and surgical pathology are all sub-specialties of anatomical pathology.
Clinical pathology, which encompasses a wide range of laboratory specialties, is the focus of the second phase of a pathology residency. Clinical chemistry, hematology, immunology, and microbiology are some of the sub-specialties of clinical pathology. The pathology resident will have a thorough understanding of the core principles of pathology the end of this phase of training.
Depending on the program, the structured portions of a pathology residency — anatomical and clinical — can take up to three years to complete. The third or fourth year of pathology training will be largely determined the individual’s interests and the subspecialties available at their university hospital. Others will pursue specialized programs, while others will continue to learn more about anatomical or clinical pathology.
Cytopathology, dermatopathology, pediatric pathology, and neuropathology are just a few of the specialized fields of pathology. Some pathology programs include a research component in this phase of training, while others do not. Before accepting a residency position in pathology, the pathology candidate should evaluate their program’s research approach.
In the United States, certification requires an optional fifth year of training. Because Medicare only pays for four years of pathology training, this fifth year of residency is often difficult to come by. As a result, in the United States, up to 20% of programs do not offer fifth-year residencies. Many pathology residents fulfill this requirement participating in a “fellowship” program at a different hospital. Prior clinical training will be considered in place of the fifth year pathology residency in both the United States and Canada.
Some programs may eliminate the credentialing year, allowing the training program to be extended from four to five years. Students would have more opportunities to participate in board-certified specializations in this scenario. Pathology residents in the more established program must choose between a fifth-year residency and additional academic work in preparation for certification exams.