Most of the general public are not aware of the art and science going behind in the hospital - to make a proper diagnosis and treatment. So I thought i will take time and pen down on it.
What is Pathology and why it’s important?
Pathology is a field of medicine where it’s involved in diagnosis and prognosis.
What do i do as a pathologist in routine day to day practice.
- Hematology - There are many automated tests which entirely is dependent on machine. But the most important thing is to know whether machine is working correctly or not. A quality indicator to be done day in and day out.
Peripheral smears - If there are any abnormality in the report the Pathologists sees it under the microscope - to see whats the problem and the physician treats it.
Bone marrows - Done in many conditions - to diagnose, to prognose, to stage a disease - all of these are a part and parcel of the management.
Flow cytometry - the science is so advanced that it can detect a few hundreds of cells in millions and can say it’s abnormal - Pathologist report it perfectly - so the treatment can go on with the protocol. - Cytology - FNAC and Pap smears - These are less painful tests compared to a biopsy and reported within a few hours so that the treatment or further investigations can be done.
- Histo-Pathology
This is the major chunk of work which cannot be replaced by machines (even in near future). A vital component of diagnosis in many many scenarios. There are significant number of times - by seeing the patient or by seeing scans the doctor cannot come to a conclusion. But by looking at the microscope we can arrive at a diagnosis and inform the physician the same so he/she can treat the patient.
Being in routine diagnostics is not an easy job, the most important is to stay updated - Protocols change every year. It is like reading every day throughout the life so that the patient management can be met with the latest guidelines.