Pathologic anatomy

Profession

In Russia, first autopsies began to be performed since 1706, when medical hospital schools were organized at the order of Peter the Great. But the clergy interfered with carrying out autopsies. Only after the opening of the medical faculty at the Moscow University in 1755, autopsies began to be performed regularly. In 1849, the first department of pathological anatomy in Russia was opened.
Pathological anatomy is a scientific and applied discipline that studies pathological processes and diseases using scientific, mainly microscopic, research of changes occurring in cells and tissues of the body, organs and organ systems.
The terms “pathological anatomy” and “pathologist” are currently used to refer to the medical discipline mainly in the Russian Federation and a number of countries of the former USSR. In Europe and the United States, the concepts “pathology” and “pathologist” are used, but these concepts are not completely synonymous: pathology uses a wider range of methods for diagnosing diseases.

Educational Process

Affiliate hospitals of the department provide an opportunity for intensive work of residents in diagnostic departments, autopsy and biopsy in accordance with the profile of the residency program from the first day of training.
Subjects of the basic part of the curriculum are “Pathological anatomy”, “emergency Medicine”, “Pedagogy”, “Public health and healthcare”, “Pathology”. Subjects of the variable part, including elective subjects are “Puncture biopsy in the diagnosis of tumors”, “Immunohistochemistry”, “Foreign language in the field of professional communication”, “Russian language in the field of professional communication”, “Fundamentals of medical morphometry”, “Diagnostic immunogenetics”, “Histological diagnosis of diseases of the oral mucosa”, “Histological diagnosis of salivary gland tumors”.

Practice

For immersion in the specialty, residents use an information base consisting of educational videos, simulation technologies, standard sets of professional models and results of laboratory and instrumental research, which allows them to master the skills and abilities provided by their professional activities.

Career

Practical work in the field of pathological anatomy is called dissection work. It is carried out at the departments of pathological anatomy of medical universities, in pathology departments of hospitals, pathology bureaus, pathology centers (bureaus and centers are independent health care institutions that are not linked to any medical institutions) and in pathological anatomy research institutes. The vast majority of the work of a modern prosector (clinical pathologist) is represented by lifetime microscopic diagnostics based on material removed from patients by surgeons, endoscopists, gynecologists, urologists and other operating specialists.
Autopsy work and clinical and anatomical conferences are regulated by a special pathological anatomy service, which is a part of the healthcare system of a number of countries. Pathologists almost always take part in commissions for the study of fatal outcomes and medical control commissions.