Careers in Medicine: Specialty Information

Pathology

Nature of the work

A pathologist uses information gathered from the microscopic examination of tissue specimens, cells, and body fluids, and from clinical laboratory tests on body fluids and secretions for the diagnosis, exclusion and monitoring of disease. According to the American Society for Clinical Pathology, "Pathologists are problem-solvers, fascinated by the process of disease and eager to unlock medical mysteries, like AIDS and diabetes, using the tools of laboratory medicine and its sophisticated instruments and methods. Pathologists make it possible to apply scientific advances to improve the accuracy and efficiency of medical diagnosis and treatment."

Pathologists can receive training in the following subspecialties:

Training/residency information

Residency training for pathologists is three to six years. Residents can receive their training in either combined anatomic pathology and clinical pathology (which requires four years of training), anatomic pathology only (requiring three years of training), or clinical pathology only (three years of training). Practice in a pathology subspecialty requires one additional year of training (two additional years for neuropathology).

Workforce and salary information

According to the American Society for Clinical Pathology, "there are approximately 12,000 board certified pathologists in the U.S. who practice their specialty in community, university, and government hospitals and clinics, in independent laboratories, or in private offices, clinics, and other health care facilities. " The annual salary for pathologists ranges from $183,253 to $359,615.

For more information

• American Board of Pathology
• American Society for Investigative Pathology
• American Society for Clinical Pathology
• College of American Pathologists

Source: The American Board of Medical Specialties and the American Society for Clinical Pathology, and the "2006 Physician Compensation Survey," Modern Healthcare. July 17, 2006. (Based on surveys conducted by American Medical Group Association; Cejka Search; Daniel Stern & Associates; Delta Physician Placement; Hay Group; Hospital & Healthcare Compensation Service; Jackson & Coker; Martin, Fletcher & Associates; MD Network; Medical Group Management Association; Medicus Partners; Merritt, Hawkins & Associates; Pcific Cos.; Pinnacle Helaht Group; and Sullivan, Cotter & Associates.)

Contact Us    © 1995-2008 AAMC    Terms and Conditions    Privacy Statement