| Policy Synopsis
Definition, scope, and nature of pathology and its practitioners.
Policy
Anatomic pathology is a branch of the medical specialty of pathology
that principally focuses on the diagnosis of human disease through the
examination of cells, fluids, and tissues, using appropriate technologies.
Permanent reports of these examinations, which constitute an integral
part of the medical record, are provided to physicians, other health care
professionals and, where appropriate, to patients.
Anatomic pathology is a broad, dynamic discipline that continually changes
as medicine itself changes. For example, areas of emerging importance
within the field of anatomic pathology include molecular diagnostics,
proteomics, molecular genetics, forensic identification and image analysis.
In addition to diagnostic activities, anatomic pathology practice includes
performing procedures on living patients (e.g., fine needle aspiration)
as well as performing and documenting post mortem examinations, including
forensic post mortem examinations.
The scope of anatomic pathology practice includes important roles in
other areas in medicine such as assisting clinicians in the management
of patients (e.g., participation in multidisciplinary patient care conferences
such as tumor boards), and in institutionally-defined medical staff activities
(e.g., patient oversight committees, education, administration and management)
Other activities include supervising and training health care personnel
in anatomic pathology, managing facilities that provide tissue or cellular
products to individual patients or researchers (e.g., tissue banks), and
conducting research dealing with tissue analysis and disease pathophysiology.
An anatomic pathologist is a physician who is qualified by virtue of
education, specialized training and experience to practice anatomic pathology.
Certification by the American Board of Pathology in anatomic pathology
demonstrates the capability of a pathologist to practice within any subspecialty
of anatomic pathology. Certification by the American Board of Pathology
in a subspecialty of pathology demonstrates additional training and experience
in that subspecialty. The College of American Pathologists endorses the
American Board of Pathology position that maintaining general and subspecialty
competence after completion of the certification process requires continuing
medical education and practice expertise.
Revision History
Adopted May 2001
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