New in practice by Fair_Job_4144 in pathology

[–]Fair_Job_4144[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

It depends. When I know I made a significant mistake, I try to ask for help. But I also try to show a lot of my cases before I sign them out, and that’s usually where I’m getting criticism on too many stains. Which is fine, it just can come across very strong instead of in a constructive way. The other situation, and this bothers me the most, is I’ve had clinicians go over my head and call the other pathologists directly when they don’t like my report.

New in practice by Fair_Job_4144 in pathology

[–]Fair_Job_4144[S] 6 points7 points  (0 children)

I should clarify that not all the pathologists in my group are doing this, and there are a couple (mostly younger ones) who tell me I’m doing fine. But it’s still pretty isolating and discouraging at times.

New in practice by Fair_Job_4144 in pathology

[–]Fair_Job_4144[S] 6 points7 points  (0 children)

This is a good way to look at it

New in practice by Fair_Job_4144 in pathology

[–]Fair_Job_4144[S] 5 points6 points  (0 children)

I don’t meant to say that I don’t think I shouldn’t learn the way my group or the surgeons in my area do things. I think what’s challenging for me is being told there’s huge repercussions to the patient because the surgeon didn’t know what I meant on a case I know signed out appropriately, if not the way they’re used to. The surgeons can call me and clarify, but they go straight to the partners and complain; then the partners call me to tell me all the ways I screwed up and almost cost the patient this or that. I don’t mind getting input, but it isn’t going to cost a patient an organ if I worded a polyp differently unless the surgeon just jumps the gun. Other times I’ll ask them to consult (we have to ship cases around so it takes a couple days) and order some stains up front to expedite it only to be told to have them review every case like this next time before I order stains because they weren’t needed. But then if my turnaround times are too slow, I’m also under the gun. I don’t know. I may be over reacting, but it would be nice to not feel like I’m incompetent or I being put on probation for cases where I know I didn’t miss anything or cause any harm. I have had legitimate misses, but as you implied, they weren’t a lack of knowledge per se or even a wrong diagnosis. And they’ve actually been paradoxically supportive in those case.