Do I have to become a medical doctor to pursue a career in pathology?
I’d love to continue my career in pathology without havng to go to med school. I know it wouldnt be the same to be a medical examiner. But I just love the pathology area.
-
Sponsors
-
Recent Entries
- In New Book ‘Sexual Intelligence’ Sex Therapist Marty Klein Explains the Key to Improving Intimate Relationships and Sexual Satisfaction
- The countless explanations why investing binary options will be the new approach to trade options
- psychology degree salary . On Line Psychology Degree – Fulfill Your Dreams
GaryR said,
Wrote on September 1, 2010 @ 3:15 am
You would need a medical doctor degree to become a Pathologist. However, if you want to work in the field, there are ancillary positions available to you. Medical Lab Technicians frequently work in Pathology, preparing tissue samples for microscopic examination by the Pathologist. Or there are other types of technicians that work in morgues with Pathologists. You might want to visit your local hospital and ask to speak to the morgue or pathology supervisor for a tour and for suggestions. The work can be a little unpleasant at times, but it is always fascinating, too. Much of what we know about medicine, we learned from the dead.
finaldx said,
Wrote on September 1, 2010 @ 3:55 am
Yes, you must attend medical school and do pathology residency. Then more training (fellowship) to specialize in any branch of pathology (forensic, neuro-, cyto, and another 12 or more subspecialties available). To become a medical examiner you have to do med school, path residency, forensic fellowship, and pass all those board exams.
If you don’t wish to devote over a decade of your life to this endeavor, you may wish to consider doing a two year program to become a Pathology Assistant (not to be confused with a Physician’s Assistant). At last count, I think there are about half a dozen schools in the USA offering such programs. I know there is one in Connecticut, and I think one at Duke.
They are in demand, don’t have the responsibility and liability of a doctor, and have somewhat lower (but still quite comfortable) salary. You will get to see it all, understand it all, but not have the responsibility of signing the report or the check to cover malpractice insurance.