Pathology is a very varied field of science which focuses on the study of diseases. There is a broad range of careers in this field and a number of different routes of training people can take to become a pathologist. A pathologist might work in a lab tracking outbreaks of diseases and observing their consequences or a pathologist might work in a hospital testing blood samples of patients.

As one of the oldest medical disciplines, pathology dates back as far as the 8th century in the Islamic golden age when doctors began to apply a degree of scientific information in the diagnosis of their patients by making links between the causes and results of diseases. One of the oldest pathological methods was identifying diabetes by actually tasting a patient’s urine.

Physicians usually consult Pathologists who do not often interact with the patient but will be asked to study things like biopsies and blood samples. Diagnosis and treatment for a patient will often be recommended by a pathologist will often help. Although they may not have contact with the patient, a pathologist will play an important role in the treatment of a patient, sometimes more so than the doctor.

When a person dies, the autopsy is performed by a forensic pathologist to establish their cause of death, this is sometimes considered more difficult than working with a live patient but the results are not needed so urgently.

The role of a pathologist is greatly varied and includes such examples as a research pathologist who studies general health issues and disease. Veterinary pathologists focus in animal disease while botanical pathologists investigate disease in plants. Some specialize in the pathology of a exact aspect of a human such as speech pathologists so the diversity of career choices draws from a wide range of skills.

There is a lengthy education process involved in becoming a pathologist is extensive, they need to have a great knowledge of medical subjects and be familiar with a wide range of conditions but also be able to use a vast array of scientific equipment. Most pathologists need to be certified doctors before undertaking a residency in pathology.

If you need a job in healthcare, then visit Nuffield Health for a list of Pathology Jobs in your region.