Department of Pathology Residency Programme

Message from the Programme Director 

Clinical Pathology has a special appeal to those who enjoy solving disease-related problems, using technologies based upon fundamental sciences ranging from biophysics to molecular genetics, and using tools from the more traditional disciplines of biochemistry, haematology , physiology, and microbiology. Fundamental to this discipline is the need to integrate clinical information with physiological, biochemical and molecular laboratory studies, together with observations of blood and tissue alterations. 

The clinical pathology specialty includes haematology , clinical chemistry (and toxicology), microbiology, immunology, the blood bank (transfusion medicine), and laboratory data management. In these areas, the clinical pathologist acts as a consultant to the clinician, defining appropriate tests and interpreting their results. Although you will function in three broad areas, as an investigator, as a teacher and, as a diagnostician, your role in medical practice is likely to be diverse. You can serve in any of the following capacities.

• Consultants to the physicians
• Consultants to the patient 
• Directors of laboratories 
  
• Leaders in administration Researchers or Educators

With new and highly complex tests increasing in recent years, clinicians rely more and more on the pathologist for guidance and direction in the use of clinical laboratory. While your responsibility may be less direct than that of other physicians, it is no less than of other physicians. In fact, the clinical pathologist holds a central position in patient care, since your diagnoses form the underpinning for patient’s therapy. Do not forget that you have an advantage in biomedical research as coupled with your familiarity with clinical medicine, you will be uniquely prepared to investigate the causes and mechanisms of disease. 

This manual describes the four years of clinical pathology residency training and outlines the general objectives of the program. Your progress and performance through the program will be monitored and assessed on a regular basis. The training is organized such that you will be given increasingly independent responsibilities over the four years. Faculty and consultants will be readily available for advice and for imparting technical and problem-solving skills. 

You are expected to be equally involved in your own training and the emphasis will be on self-directed learning. While the training may appear to be formalized, short and eventually examination focused, it will provide unparalleled opportunities for formulating and testing your own hypotheses (think research!!)