Color deficient pathologist

[drjeffles]

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Just out of curiosity, would it be difficult to become a pathologist if you are visually red/green color deficient. I heard a pathologist say they deal in color, and color deficient students should apply for radiology. Any thoughts? Does anyone know any colorblind pathologists?

Jeff

 

[Pingu]

I don't know any and IMHO, it would be VERY difficult to be red/green colorblind and do path. There are stains that require you to distinguish between red/green/blue for a diagnosis. That being said, I'm not colorblind, so I don't know what a colorblind person sees when they look in the scope. I would tell you to look at some histo/path slides and see if you can make the diagnosis or distinguish the salient characteristics of the slide. If you really want path it is worth a try.

 

[geddy]

We had to take a color blindness test as part of our new resident check up - it was kind of weird. I thought "I guess I'd know by now, but what if I am color blind?" I don't think it would ruin you as a pathologist.

I seem to remember a similar thread to this one a few months back, with someone referencing a color blind pathoogist who was doing quite well. I'd post a link, but I'm too tired now - if you search for the thread, I'm sure you'll find it.

 

[garfield]

I know two colorblind pathology residents and they're doing ok. One guy has more difficulty with eosinophils vs. neutrophils at low power, but can tell on high power.

 

[deschutes]

A head of dept told me of two senior faculty members who only had trouble with the Congo Red.

I imagine the phenotype is variable, so I would do like Pingu says.