The pathologist in the 21st century—generalist or specialist?

• Published in: Journal of clinical pathology Vol. 53; no. 1; pp. 7 - 9
• Main Author: Kirkham, Nigel
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: London BMJ Publishing Group Ltd and Association of Clinical Pathologists 01.01.2000; BMJ; BMJ Publishing Group LTD
• Subjects: Biological and medical sciences; Consultants; Forecasting; Histopathology; Hospitals; Humans; Investigative techniques, diagnostic techniques (general aspects); Laboratories; Medical sciences; Millennial Review; Miscellaneous. Technology; Pathology; Pathology - trends; Pathology. Cytology. Biochemistry. Spectrometry. Miscellaneous investigative techniques; Specialization; Specialization - trends; Workloads; United Kingdom > UK; Human; Physician; Pathology; Medical specialty
• ISSN: 0021-9746; 1472-4146
• DOI: 10.1136/jcp.53.1.7

Perhaps the most important technological changes we have seen in the last 25 years have been the introduction and improvement of the flexible endoscope, the biopsy needle, and the development of various forms of scanning and imaging, to the point where the boundaries between surgeon and radiologist have been blurred by the progress of the interventional radiologist. All of this has led to considerably increased workloads for the histopathologist, but as the majority of these biopsies are taken appropriately there is no ready way of reducing much of the increase. 1 As senior colleagues with a long career of generalist practice behind them retire, it often seems that virtually every keen new young consultant arriving on the scene, irrespective of specialty, will be scoping or biopsying their patients in one way or another, with the possible exception of the psychiatrists.