Exploring the pathologists’ assistant educational landscape in North America

IF 1.3 Q3 PATHOLOGY

Academic Pathology Pub Date : 2025-07-01 DOI:10.1016/j.acpath.2025.100209

Leeying Lau MSClSc, BS, Jina J.Y. Kum PhD, MSC

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引用次数: 0

Abstract

Pathologists’ assistants are physician extenders who play a critical role in anatomic pathology, specializing in surgical and autopsy pathology. Under the supervision of licensed pathologists, they primarily perform the macroscopic examination and dissection of surgical specimens to prepare tissues for microscopic analysis. They also take on responsibilities in autopsy, education, quality assurance, and laboratory management. They optimize pathology services by enhancing efficiency, reducing costs, and supporting the diagnostic process. Their role has grown to include significant contributions to academic and clinical settings. This study explores the educational landscape of pathologists’ assistant programs in North America, with a focus on Canadian institutions, detailing the evolution of accredited training programs and certification processes. Currently, 16 National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences-accredited programs exist across North America. Through a program review, we found variations in class sizes, admission requirements, and tuition across North American programs. Despite differences, all programs boast high graduation, employment and certification rates, reflecting the growing demand for pathologists’ assistants in pathology. Although the pathologists’ assistant profession has grown significantly since its inception, many are still unaware of it. This review aims to serve as a comprehensive resource for prospective students who wish to learn more about the profession and its educational programs.

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探索病理学家在北美的辅助教育景观

病理学助理是在解剖病理学中发挥关键作用的医师扩展者，专门从事外科和尸检病理学。在有执照的病理学家的监督下，他们主要对手术标本进行宏观检查和解剖，为显微镜分析准备组织。他们还承担尸检、教育、质量保证和实验室管理的责任。它们通过提高效率、降低成本和支持诊断过程来优化病理服务。他们的角色已经发展到包括对学术和临床环境的重大贡献。本研究探讨了北美病理学家助理项目的教育前景，重点是加拿大机构，详细介绍了认可培训项目和认证过程的演变。目前，北美有16个国家临床实验室科学认证机构认可的项目。通过项目回顾，我们发现北美各个项目在班级规模、入学要求和学费方面存在差异。尽管存在差异，但所有项目都有很高的毕业率、就业率和认证率，这反映出对病理学家助理的需求不断增长。尽管病理学家的助理职业自成立以来有了显著的发展，但许多人仍然没有意识到这一点。本综述旨在为希望更多地了解该专业及其教育计划的未来学生提供全面的资源。

本文章由计算机程序翻译，如有差异，请以英文原文为准。

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来源期刊

Academic Pathology PATHOLOGY-

CiteScore

2.20

自引率

20.00%

发文量

审稿时长

15 weeks

期刊介绍： Academic Pathology is an open access journal sponsored by the Association of Pathology Chairs, established to give voice to the innovations in leadership and management of academic departments of Pathology. These innovations may have impact across the breadth of pathology and laboratory medicine practice. Academic Pathology addresses methods for improving patient care (clinical informatics, genomic testing and data management, lab automation, electronic health record integration, and annotate biorepositories); best practices in inter-professional clinical partnerships; innovative pedagogical approaches to medical education and educational program evaluation in pathology; models for training academic pathologists and advancing academic career development; administrative and organizational models supporting the discipline; and leadership development in academic medical centers, health systems, and other relevant venues. Intended authorship and audiences for Academic Pathology are international and reach beyond academic pathology itself, including but not limited to healthcare providers, educators, researchers, and policy-makers.