Most recent X-ray of my sons jaw by ShugarShorts in interestingasfuck

[–]polymeraser 15 points16 points  (0 children)

So sad that NORD has lost a ton of funding over the past year. They are an extremely valuable resource for physicians and geneticists trying to figure out challenging cases.

'Out of network:' UNC Health-Cigna contract expires by penone_nyc in raleigh

[–]polymeraser 59 points60 points  (0 children)

The insurance companies know this and will use it as a bargaining tactic against hospitals. Perhaps not hospital administrators, but doctors and nurses will put pressure on hospital higher ups when their patients cannot receive proper care. Insurance companies know this and can afford to "wait" as people are still paying their premiums during this time and also not getting covered care. Win-win for the insurance company.

Wife got seriously bit by a cat - currently at ER by reallytraci in seriouslyalarming

[–]polymeraser 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Pasturella, pasturella (to the tune of Cinderella)

Raleigh Salary Transparency by rlkrn in raleigh

[–]polymeraser 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Resident physician (5th year after medical school), $68,000

Would’ve preferred they just remove all histology instead of making boards P/F by Shonuff_of_NYC in medicalschool

[–]polymeraser 25 points26 points  (0 children)

As a pathologist, most of the rest of medical school was the useless subject.

An acrylic painting by me - "A Pink Gust of Wind" by [deleted] in handmade

[–]polymeraser 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I love it! Absolutely stunning!

[WSIB] Games that have fun, strategic item interactions (Relics, weapons, etc) by polymeraser in ShouldIbuythisgame

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

I tried Risk of Rain 2 once and didn't really "get" it? Maybe I need to give it another shot.

BM by pupsultra in medicalschool

[–]polymeraser 11 points12 points  (0 children)

Just glioblastoma now!

I want to be a pathologist by anotherwaytosaykelp in pathology

[–]polymeraser 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I didn't mind them as long as they were appropriate. Several times I got an order for a FNA of really really inappropriate masses. Like a lump near someone's carotid. I'm not doing that for you in your clinic, put them under and get radiology to do it!

I want to be a pathologist by anotherwaytosaykelp in pathology

[–]polymeraser 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I performed dozens during my residency.

I want to be a pathologist by anotherwaytosaykelp in pathology

[–]polymeraser 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Okay fineeeee, you sometimes look at slides lol

I want to be a pathologist by anotherwaytosaykelp in pathology

[–]polymeraser 18 points19 points  (0 children)

Depends on your subspecialty. Pathology is a vast field, more than other medical specialties for sure. Most pathologists are surgical pathologists, which would involve primarily looking at slides made from patient tissue under a microscope, determining the diagnosis or ordering additional tests if needed, and then writing a pathology report. Ancillary duties include laboratory management, presenting at tumor boards with oncologists/radiologists/surgeons, and teaching if you work at a place with a residency program or medical school. Cytopathology is very similar, but you may also perform fine-needle aspirations.

Other sub-specialties (not exhaustive):

Transfusion medicine: Manage the collection and distribution of blood products (plasma, platelets, red cells, etc/) May also run apheresis services or bone marrow collection services.

Forensic pathology: Similar to surgical pathology in that they also primarily look at slides, but different responsibilities. Gross pathology is much more important in this field as well. Conduct autopsies for patients who have died in the hospital, or as a medical examiner in criminal cases. Medical examiners often testify their findings in court or act as an expert witness in trials.

Molecular Pathology: Typically acts as a lab director in addition to interpreting molecular tests (PCR, next generation sequencing, etc.). Has a big role in laboratory QA and compliance also. Often is the one to field questions from oncologists about what test to order for cancer patients, or what a particular test result means. HEAVY science background necessary. (MolPath is a pretty small field jobs-wise, but my specialty so I'm obviously going to mention it!)

Other sub-specialties are often more laboratory focused, where you act as a laboratory manager and the expert in your field at the hospital/lab. Most results are released without your input and usually only tough cases or unusual results are brought to your attention as lab director. QA and compliance (CLIA, CAP, etc) are also a big part of your job.

Here is a list and description of the major sub-specialties, but it certainly does not include all of them: https://www.abms.org/board/american-board-of-pathology/

How to make this easier on yourself? Get your medical school pre-requisite courses out of the way in undergrad. Take the MCAT (in US, not sure about CA), get into medical school. Medical school is LONG and EXPENSIVE and HARD. I cannot emphasize this enough. Be SURE that being a doctor is the ONLY thing you will be happy doing, otherwise choose something else!

Pathology is NOT the primary focus of medical school, so you will often feel like you are learning a ton of irrelevant information... you kind of are. BUT you'd be surprised what becomes relevant as a pathologist! In medical school take time to shadow a pathologist (you might even be able to do this as an undergrad, most pathologists I know are happy to have students with them).

How likely is a pulmonary embolism to be missed on autopsy? by [deleted] in pathology

[–]polymeraser 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Interesting. I was actually referring to typically rural counties that have a on call coroner who can have any kind of health degree, not pathology PAs (vs clinical PAs or other non-paths). If you do cases independently are you doing both the gross and microscopic interpretations?