Pathology is a diverse field of science that studies diseases. Pathologists work in various settings, from hospitals to research labs, and specialize in human, plant, or animal diseases. Pathologists diagnose diseases and offer treatment advice, and some specialize in speech or swallowing disorders. Extensive training is required, including medical school and a residency in pathology.
Pathology is an incredibly diverse field of science that focuses on the study of disease. Careers in this field are extremely broad, with a number of different training programs available for those interested in pathology. A pathologist may work for an organization such as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, monitoring disease outbreaks and observing their consequences, for example, or a pathologist may work in a hospital laboratory, analyzing blood, tissue and bodily waste for signs of illness.
As a medical field, pathology is one of the oldest medical disciplines. The history of the disease dates back to the Golden Age of Islamic culture, when physicians began applying the scientific method to their interactions with patients. Doctors began making connections between the causes and outcomes of diseases, for example, and began using scientific information to diagnose their patients. One of the oldest tricks in pathology is to taste a patient’s urine to test for diabetes; if the urine is sweet, the patient has diabetes mellitus, a common form of this pernicious disease.
In human medicine, pathologists are usually used as consultants by other physicians. A patient will not see a pathologist directly, but a pathologist will look at things like biopsies and blood samples to diagnose a disease and offer treatment advice. Pathologists also perform autopsies to determine the cause of a patient’s death, in which case they are known as forensic pathologists. While a pathologist may never meet a patient in person, they are an important part of the patient’s medical team.
Research pathologists focus on more general questions of disease and health cycles in human populations. Botanical pathologists study plant diseases, while veterinary pathologists specialize in animal diseases. Some doctors also specialize in conditions that affect the ability to speak or swallow; this type of pathologist is known as a speech therapist. The multiplicity of career options in pathology can make this field highly attractive to people from a diverse range of backgrounds.
The training required for a career in pathology is quite extensive. Pathologists must learn to use a wide variety of equipment to collect data on their subjects and must also be familiar with a number of medical conditions and their progression. Most countries require pathologists to become fully certified physicians, which means they attend medical school, followed by a residency in pathology.
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