Tbilisi State Medical University - USMD program - Becoming a doctor

1. Medical specialties
PATHOLOGY
LASHA CHKHIKVADZE

2. definition
“pathos” – disease
“logos” – study, treatise
Pathology is the specialty dealing with the causes and nature of
disease and how it affects people

3. The bridge between science and medicine
Medical diagnosis Medical research
Determines which disease or
condition explains person’s
symptoms or signs
Scientific research that aims to improve
scientific theories and understanding
of the cellular, molecular and
physiological mechanisms of human
health and disease.
Pathologists are responsible for providing and interpreting laboratory
information that will help to solve diagnostic problems, monitor the effects of
therapy or treatment or determine the causes of death.

4. Anatomical
pathology
2 major divisions
Clinical
pathology
The study of organs and
tissue (biopsy)
The study of body fluids
(blood, plasma, urine, …)
 Hospitals, university medical centers and
independent laboratories;
 Medical degree and license and board
certification in AP;
 U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics – medium
salary – 2017 - $193,563
 mainly hospitals;
 Medical degree and license, board
certification in CP, a strong background
in mathematics and research sciences;
 U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics –
medium salary – 2017 - $187,500

5. Some other divisions
dermatopathology,
forensic pathology,
hematopathology,
histopathology,
Neuropathology,
Molecular pathology,
surgical pathology

6. Example - Anatomical pathologists
• Look at tissues and cells removed
from patients
• Use microscopes and a trained eye
to discover disease
• Tell the patient’s doctor what is
wrong
• Diagnose cancers and other serious
illnesses, but they also often have
good news
• Carry out post mortem examinations
to find out why someone has died

7. Working hours, patterns and
environment
pathologists work up to 48 hours a week for a full-time post. This will include
some evening and weekend work. Hours are generally between 9am and 6pm.

8. pros
• No patients to be taken 24
hour basis
• Huge spread of work
• The pleasure of delivering the
final diagnosis
• Pathology department is
bridge between all
departments
cons
• Busy timetable
• Dissatisfying salary in
comparison with other
specialties
• Little recognition from
doctors as well as patients
• It is very hard to get into this
career. Extensive skill,
knowledge, and experience
is required for this career

9. Salary in the USA
2016 - median yearly salary - $191,098
2017 - median yearly salary - $193,279
According to payscale.com
Salary in the UK
Starter: £26,350 to £45,750 (doctors in training)
Experienced: £37,500 to £70,000 (specialty doctors)
Highly Experienced: £76,000 to £102,500 (consultants)

10. To become a pathologist in the USA
Total number of years = 12 – 14

11. To become a pathologist in the UK
General certificate of secondary education
 a degree in medicine – 5 years
A foundation course – 2 years
A specialist training program – 5-6 years
Total number of years = 12-13

12. Pathology Residency in the US for
INTERNATIONAL MEDICAL GRADUATES
1) University of Miami-Jackson Memorial Medical Center Program,
Miami, FL
2) University of South Florida Program, Tampa, FL
3) Emory University Program, Atlanta, GA
4) Loyola University Program, Maywood, IL
5) University of Chicago Program, Chicago,

13. Thank you!