Postgraduate assessment in pathology an eight-year experience. (section Pathology Education)

Abstract

Successful running of postgraduate assessments in pathology is essential to maintain the professional standard in pathology and ensure safety and quality of pathology services to the patients. In Australia, pathology laboratories are also required to be accredited for the training of pathologist trainees. Pathology trainees are required to undergo appropriate years of training and clinical rotations in different pathology laboratories to be eligible for assessment. Assessments in anatomical pathology comprise inhouse assessments, completion of anatomical pathology portfolios and national examinations. The national examinations focus on the applications of pathology knowledge. Candidates were provided feedback including the expected answers and common errors in the diagnostic approach. The examinations were compiled and conducted by a team of examiners with combined expertise across a wide range of sub-disciplines to ensure the materials examined were fair and representative of real life pathology practices.