r/pathology

just gave ap board and was able to count multiple mistakes. Not sure how to start studying for cp

Hi everyone. As the title indicates, I’m considering going back to school for pathology. I have a bachelors degree in biomedical engineering and graduated in 2024. I’ve been working since graduation but recently due to some life changes have found myself wanting to pursue something more aligned with my interests. I have looked into it a little bit, I know I need to apply to med school, take the MCAT, and ideally shadow someone actively working in this field. I guess I’m curious about what all I need to do and what I can do to better familiarize myself with the field and ensure this is really what I want as it’s such a big change. I have MINOR lab experience, but I did really enjoy it. I’m based in the Cincinnati area and know we have great resources for the medical field but if anyone has recommendations about proceeding with this path I’d really appreciate it! Thanks!

Edit: also from current pathologists/students, how do you think AI will impact this field? Is it worth pursuing? I had some friends who are currently in med school tell me that path/rads is going to be pointless in the future. I don’t think I really agree with that, but is it a concern?

Atlanta Gastroenterology Associates (AGA), based in Atlanta, Georgia, reached a $4.75 million settlement with the U.S. Department of Justice to resolve claims under the False Claims Act. The allegations centered on an arrangement with Advanced Pathology Solutions (APS), a laboratory in Little Rock, Arkansas, which helped AGA establish and operate a limited-capacity in-office pathology lab starting around May 2017.

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Nature of the Allegations
Federal authorities alleged that APS provided benefits to AGA in exchange for exclusive referrals of gastrointestinal pathology services. Histology technicians at AGA prepared and stained biopsy slides, while APS pathologists interpreted the slides and billed for the professional component. The government claimed these benefits constituted unlawful remuneration, violating federal anti-kickback laws.

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Additionally, AGA was accused of performing medically unnecessary "special stains" on biopsy samples. These tests were reportedly ordered automatically through a reflex process before a pathologist could review whether they were clinically required, leading to billing for services that may not have been medically justified.

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Timeline and Resolution
The relationship between AGA and APS lasted until approximately May 2020. The settlement resolves civil claims only, with no admission of liability by AGA. The case involved coordination among the Justice Department, the Department of Health and Human Services, the Department of Defense, and the Department of Veterans Affairs.

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Federal Enforcement Context
Officials emphasized that healthcare fraud negatively impacts taxpayers and patients. Assistant Attorney General Brett A. Shumate highlighted that the settlement reflects the Department’s commitment to ensuring federal healthcare payments are reasonable, necessary, and free from kickback influence. U.S. Attorney Jonathan D. Ross noted that fraud against taxpayers is a national concern, and enforcement efforts will continue to recover improperly paid funds.

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Key Takeaways
Settlement Amount: $4.75 million

Alleged Violations: Kickbacks for referrals and unnecessary pathology testing

Parties Involved: Atlanta Gastroenterology Associates and Advanced Pathology Solutions

Timeframe: May 2017 – May 2020

Outcome: Civil settlement, no admission of liability
This case underscores the federal government’s ongoing focus on preventing healthcare fraud, particularly in Medicare and other federally funded programs, and highlights the importance of medically necessary testing and compliance with anti-kickback statutes.
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I billed less than 2% of a complete hospital procedure that required same day surgery and anesthesia.

Are doctors just hoes and the hospitals our pimps?

I scored a 235 on Step 2. Passed Step 1 and COMLEX level 3. Does Step score matter when applying for fellowship? I'm applying for surgical path and my number one choice is considered "top tier" in my location.

Hi everyone

I have been asked to select a pdl1 clone ihc but we don't have the budget for both, only one. If I recall, sp263 can be used for both nsclc (tps) and others (cps). What has been your experience? What do you use in your lab? Do the oncologists select a specific clone according to which drug they plan to use?

In an era of increasingly complex molecular pathology and digital pathology, it seems to me that forensics and anatomical pathology will have less and less in common.

In Canada, hemepath and neuropath exist as separate residencies. I feel that forensics becoming its own residency would make much more sense than the former two, especially considering that people who pursue forensics usually apply to pathology already knowing that's what they want to do.

Hi everyone

I was wondering what everyone 's experience has been with regards to having formally educated PAs? We are having a hard time recruiting a PA where I am and was wondering how to go about training one of our senior histotechs to gross cancer resection. Would any further certification be needed per CAP?

im currently researching programs and i came across one that doesnt have any PGY1 listed on their current residents tab but have PGY 2-4. no information in residency explorer or freida either.

does it mean the program isnt no longer accepting applications?

EDIT:  
found this written on their website:

"Currently, the program does not participate in the NRMP's match program. All selections are made outside the match either before the match commitment date or after the results of the match are posted."

Let’s make this a useful thread!

Anyone who made a great summary, pdf, googledrive
Either something specific, general (literally anything) from approach to key notes of things learned and did during residencies spam it in the comments!

I’m currently working as an MLT (ASCP) in Kansas and am taking my prerequisites so I can enter a bachelor’s program in Medical Laboratory Science. My long-term goal is to become a Pathologists’ Assistant, and I’d really love advice from anyone already in the field or currently in PA school.
I was wondering:

What helped you stand out when applying to PA programs?

Is getting MLS experience before applying a good path?

What kind of lab or pathology experience should I try to get?

Are there certain classes I should focus heavily on?

How competitive are Pathologists’ Assistant programs really?

Any recommendations for shadowing, networking, or preparing for interviews?

Are there any good opportunities in Kansas or nearby states for gaining pathology experience?

I enjoy the laboratory side of healthcare and really like pathology, histology, and anatomy. I’m trying to make smart decisions now while I finish my prerequisites and future MLS degree.
I’d appreciate any tips, experiences, or things you wish you knew before starting this path.

Hi everyone,

I’m a path resident, and I feel like residency programs and the academic environment do a pretty poor job of teaching trainees what private practice actually looks like.

Most of what we hear is either vague or negative: “it’s boring,” “you’ll be alone,” “it’s a ton of work,” “you won’t have the same resources,” etc. But we rarely get a real, balanced picture from people who are actually doing it.

For those of you currently in private practice, or who have worked in private practice before, could you share what your life is actually like?

A few things I’d love to hear about:

How is your day structured?
What is the workload really like?
How much variety do you see?
Do you feel isolated, or do you still have colleagues to discuss cases with?
How different is it from academic pathology?
What do you like most and least about it?
What should trainees know before deciding between academics and private practice?

I think a lot of us would benefit from hearing honest, practical perspectives beyond the usual stereotypes. Thank you!

Anyone lookin for a job? Posted on path outlines but haven’t had a lot of luck with applicants. Message me if interested

Hello cytology community,

I recently got into the Thomas Jefferson Masters of Cytology Program. While I am very excited to be a cytologist (I have spent 3 years doing cell culture as a research tech so this feels like a natural choice), I am very nervous because apparently cytology is a dying field?? I dont want to spend time and money on a degree and then struggle to find a job, and I also do not want to struggle financially after a masters degree.

I am looking for any honest insight current cytologists can give me! I want to know

1. do you think the field is "dying", and if yes, how so?

2. Is a Masters degree in this field worth it?

3. Do you feel like you make enough money for a person with a masters degree in this field?

Again, any comments would be helpful!

Pathologists: I work in regulatory compliance and have a general question about CC. Do you get any kind of letter or certificate from the board once you renew your certification that shows the dates through which the certification is valid? The public lookup is specifically not for primary source verification and we cannot use it to assess compliance (CLIA lab director). Thanks in advance!