The Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Programs (CAAHEP) is considering a name change for the profession from cytotechnologist to “cytologist.” Of greatest concern is that the name change will create confusion throughout the health care system. Some, including patients, might mistake cytotechnologists using the “cytologist” name to be physicians.

Since August 2020, the CAP has communicated its opposition to the name change citing a lack of baseline data that independently validated the necessity for the change. Furthermore, the impacts of the name change on the medical community have not been evaluated.

In a joint statement, the American Society of Cytopathology (ASC), American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP), and American Society for Cytotechnology (ASCT) fully endorsed changing the name of cytotechnologists to “cytologists” and further cited efforts to expand the scope of practice expansion for the profession. The CAP has strongly opposed the name change as it is a risk to pathology and ultimately patients.

In the ASC-ASCP-ASCT statement, organizations said changing the professional name from cytotechnologist and cytotechnology to cytologist and cytology would better reflect “the elevated degree as well as the expanded skills and responsibilities” for the profession.

“As the scope of practice expands for cytologists, we feel that it is important to enhance the curriculum of the cytology programs with more research, molecular diagnostics and management training,” the groups said.

It is well documented that name changes are often the first step in scope of practice expansions. The AMA and the CAP have both prioritized fighting scope creep that tries to expand the scope of non-physician providers, which can confuse and ultimately endanger patients. For example, the AMA has opposed efforts by physician assistants to change their name to “physician associate.” The CAP is an active participant in the AMA’s initiatives to fight scope of practice expansion that are inappropriate and threaten patient safety.

Call to Action for Pathologists

The CAP is calling on its members to oppose the professional title change of cytotechnologists to cytologists. CAP members should take immediate action to provide public comments to the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs. They will collect comments until Monday, July 3, 2023, at 5:00 PM Eastern. Follow these steps:

1. Click the link Access the Comment Collection Survey Tool here
2. Check the circle for Description of Profession (listed third) and click next
3. For the line number section, enter “50”
4. You can then copy and paste this comment and click next: As a pathologist I am concerned about the proposed cytology professional titles new designation of cytologist. I believe we need a strong cytotechnology workforce, but the name change is not a necessary step to achieve this objective. In this proposed change there are still outstanding questions about the standards and guidelines that have not been addressed or agreed to by all parties. Until there is baseline data independently validated regarding this change, I question the need to move forward. No action should be taken without the data to thoroughly evaluate the impact of this proposed change on the current and future medical community. Time would be better spent focusing on standardizing the cytotechnologist curriculum to ensure a sustainable supply of cytotechnologists. Moreover, consideration needs to be given to the costs associated with federal and state regulatory changes. Given the current reimbursement climate any additional cost will be detrimental to laboratory operations. For all of these reasons I oppose the proposed name change and strongly recommend you reconsider your decision.
5. Then click the first button for “I have completed my comments” and click next
6. Click done