“PATHOLOGIST – The pathfinder in your treatment process!! #IPD2023 @rupeshgundawar

Wishing everyone a heartfelt World Pathology Day on November 8, 2023. My work and purpose may be quite different, but I make this post every year. This year, I’m doing it in Marathi, as many wish to read and understand.

Pathology means the science of diseases or diagnostic medicine! We, after completing MBBS, pursue postgraduate education like MD/DNB/DCP/DPB in this field. So, we are specialist doctors, similar to other physicians or surgeons, but the question is, what is our role in patient care? Where do we fit in?

Do you know who a set designer or an art director is? They have an in-depth knowledge of the nuances of a play, which is invaluable. Creating the stage setting for a play, making it conducive for the storyline, involves the art of set designing. It’s about arranging the elements such as scenes, dialogues, the stage, and the lighting. A pathologist does something similar. We bring together various elements such as visuals, conversations, specimens, slides, and staining patterns under the microscope. A pathologist’s imprint may not always be visible, but it’s there, even in the smallest details.

But, these days, our importance seems to be diminishing. In our field, people are buying machines and setting up labs, thinking anyone can operate them. It’s as if the society has forgotten that pathology involves more than just machines. Some individuals are taking responsibility in our field, while others are undermining it.

Now, it’s important for patients to realize that you should know what you are being tested for and where it is being tested, whether a lab is run by a qualified pathologist. When you have issues with your stomach, you go to a gastroenterologist, right? When you have a skin problem, you consult a dermatologist. Likewise, when it comes to diseases, who will interpret your lab report? Can you rely on just the machines or do you need a pathologist to interpret and guide you?

Remember, not every lab test is straightforward. Sometimes, the pathologist might need to look beyond what the machine says. We don’t just rely on machine results; we create a microscopic view to reach a diagnosis. We need to be sure that the report is accurate. That’s where a pathologist comes in.

So, on this World Pathology Day, I invite you to understand who your pathologist is – KNOW YOUR PATHOLOGIST. #IPD2023 @rupeshgundawar

Dr. Rupesh Gundawar
Director, Krishna Surgical Pathology LLP, Latur
Secretary, Pathologist and Microbiologist Association, Latur.”