Overview of pathology

Pathology is a medical discipline in which physicians utilize laboratory medicine tools to care for patients. They play a crucial role in supplying information vital to disease diagnosis, prevention, and treatment. The field comprises two main branches: Anatomic Pathology and Clinical Pathology.

Many pathologists further specialize by undergoing additional training, such as fellowships in areas like cytopathology, hematopathology, neuropathology, microbiology, and clinical chemistry, extending their expertise beyond the initial four years of residency training.

Alongside the four years of medical school, pathologists are mandated to complete a minimum of four years of postgraduate training in pathology.  The field is divided into Anatomic and Clinical Pathology.  

A large proportion of pathologists go on to pursue additional training beyond their initial four years of residency training by completing fellowship training in subspecialties such as cytopathology, hematopathology, neuropathology, microbiology, and clinical chemistry. In addition to the four years of medical school, pathologists are required to have a minimum of four years postgraduate training in pathology.