Symposium on Training Programs in Pathology (VII European Congress of Pathology, Valencia, 1979). An introduction to the symposium: participants, aims--the Spanish programme; proposed general conclusions.
The need for learning pathology as a physical substratum of disease is unquestioned. Thus at the undergraduate level opinions vary only on the best time for teaching pathology, the length and the depth of teaching, the degree of integration with clinical disciplines, the use of audiovisual aids, the direct involvement of the students with routine material, the nature of evaluation tests, and so on. Postgraduate pathology should ideally reach all physicians, at least in the field in which they specialize. As for future pathologists, they need to understand the three way role expected from them in medicine: 1. A proper knowledge of morphopathology in close relation with etiology, pathogenesis, and clinical consequences; 2. A scientific attitude of permanent learning through experience and study, and 3. Availability of their experience for the progress of medicine through teaching, writing, and quality control at their hospitals. To reach these goals, pathology should be taught in well functioning, active, and adequatly staffed hospital departments, through long, progressive, controlled and flexible residency programs under some kind of advice and supervision of national and even international Agencies. These advisory bodies should attempt to permanently evaluate the real needs and desirable location of pathologists in the future, and propose any needed changes concerning their background, education, and professional role.
Anaya
A
A
Department of Pathology, Autonomous University of Madrid, Clínica Puerta de Hierro, Spain.
D004501:Education, Medical; D006801:Humans; D010336:Pathology / Q000193:education*; D013030:Spain