social pathologists

[rirriri]

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hello,

im an MS III currently doing my cores. im definitely pursuing pathology for the match next year. i've wanted to do pathology since my first Histo class I ever took and have since taken a great love for the field.

many people i talk to recycle the unoriginal thought that pathologists are trapped in a corner of the basement somewhere talking to no one. Im getting quite tired of hearing this argument against the field. I seem to be hearing it alot from my associates, family and other physicians.

what is the truth behind these "vicious" rumours of isolation and dungeon labs? i was hoping maybe some residents can shed some light on how much interaction they have with other physicians/people during their day. i always tend to think that there MUST be a fair amount of human interaction in the patho labs (residents, attendings, techs, etc...)

also, what are some good manuals/textbooks that you people (residents) use during your day-to-day activities?

thanks very much for your input

rirriri.

 

[GreatPumpkin]

That whole idea is laughable.

I am interacting with residents, path attendings, surgeons, technicians, students...etc...etc....etc...all day long. Sometimes way too much, and I wish they would just leave me alone so I can do my work. Our autopsy suite is in the basement. But, the main path labs and offices are in the newest and nicest part of the hospital. The residents offices have a big bay window and a nice view.

Surg Path textbooks-
Robins - Pathological Basis of Disease
Sternberg- Diagnostic Surgical Pathology
Lester- Manual of Surgical Pathology

Clincial Path-
Henry-Clinical Diagnosis and management

 

[rirriri]

great pumpkin,

thanks for your input. ive talked to many pathologists that say the same exact things as you.

ive also heard from a few people in the field that some residents "opt" to do an internship year in IM before starting their path residencies. what's the reason for doing this?

i've heard varying statements ranging from "it's to polish up my clinical skills" to "i wanna give patient interaction one final chance" to "it will help me during my patho years".

Personally, id rather become a truck driver for a year than to do a prelim. year (sarcasm.....i think).

cheers
rirriri

 

[GreatPumpkin]

Got me why folks want to do an internship year. I would rather cut off a toe.

I would say spend the extra year doing a fellowship, rather than staying up all night and being scut boy. I am sure you can learn alot of clinical medicine during an internship year, but it really is not necessary to becoming a sucessful pathologist. Now if you could do a year of surgical oncology...maybe.