A pathologist is a medical professional who has been trained to diagnose and provide prognoses for the medical conditions of patients. He or she may not be involved in the actual treatment of patients, but works alongside other doctors and specialists to help them reach a diagnosis.
Pathologists focus on the study of disease and analyzing tissue samples under a microscope. Their main role is to determine whether an individual has a disease. They also work together with other doctors to create treatment plans for patients diagnosed with a particular condition (e.g., cancer).
In South Africa, there are four different pathologists. They are anatomical, chemical, haematological and microbiological pathologists. Each one focuses on specific areas of the human body.
- Anatomical pathologists study the structure of the human body.
- Chemical pathologists focus on how the body functions.
- Haematological pathologists study blood and blood diseases.
- Microbiological pathologists study infectious diseases and how they spread from person to person, as well as what causes them or makes them dangerous in humans.
Most people choose this career because they have an interest in science and medicine. Doctors who choose pathology usually do so because they want to focus on research or teaching instead of patient care.
Pathology is a very specialized field of medicine. Pathologists are doctors who study diseases, conditions and injuries in order to help diagnose and treat them.
They also conduct research to find out more about diseases and how they are treated.
How to become a pathologist in South Africa
You must have a medical degree (MBChB) from an institution that is registered with the Medical and Dental Council of South Africa (MDCSA).
- You must have completed your community service
- You must have completed your internship training
- You must have completed your specialist training
- If you are not yet fully certified as a pathologist, you may apply for fellowship training.
Community service is a requirement for all medical students in South Africa. It is used to expose you to the different fields of medicine, as well as get you out of your comfort zone and expose you to two new challenges. During this time, give back to the community by helping those in need; this will give you valuable experience and connections with people who can help you further your career later on.
Internship training follows the completion of community service training and allows an individual to specialize in their chosen field while they continue their medical studies. This usually lasts between one year or two years depending on which speciality they wish to pursue; however, some specialities require additional training before being qualified enough for internship training (such as radiology).
- You must complete your community service in a training hospital.
- You will be exposed to all fields of medicine for about a year.
- You spend three months in rural areas as part of your community service.
Conclusion
The pathologist has an important role in the healthcare system. He or she diagnoses and treats patients in several ways, depending on their diagnosis and what they need as treatment. The pathologist uses a variety of tools to help them make diagnoses such as microscopes, test tubes and slides which are used to examine tissue samples taken from biopsies performed throughout the body.
