Experience of Korean-Mongolian international joint workshops on pathology and cytopathology since 2007

Abstract

Background: The Korean Society of Pathologists (KSP) and the Korean Society for Cytopathology (KSC) have held the Korean-Mongolian International Joint Workshop on Pathology and Cytopathology every year since 2007. We introduce the activities of KSP/KSC in Mongolia for eight years.Methods: The Joint Workshops have several characteristics. First, Korean pathologists have shown that pathologists can perform medical services to overseas public society by education. Second, it is the first international cooperative education project which KSP/KSC has carried out. Third, it is not a temporary event but a long-lasting continuous educational program held in the capital as well as in the cities of provinces, Mongolia. Fourth, KSP/KSC has helped setting up the laboratories as well as has supplied reagents and instruments for Papanicolaou staining. KSP/KSC has also educated Mongolian pathologists and cytotechnologists for diagnosis and PAP screening. Fifth, the members of KSP/KSC have performed volunteer services paying all the travel expenses by themselves.Results: In Ulan Baator, the Joint Workshops have been held seven times since 2007. The education program has covered all the fields of pathology starting from cervicovaginal smear. Since 2008, the Joint Workshops have been held in the cities of Mongolian provinces including Dornod/Choibalsan, Arhangay, Orkon/Erdenet Umnugovi and Ulaangom/Uvs. The number of Mongolian attendees was increased from 60 (2007) to 206 (2014). The members of KSP/KSC who participated in the Joint Workshops increased from nine to 18. In addition, the members of KSP/KSC have invited Mongolian pathologists and technologists to Korea for training in their departments.Conclusions: The KSP and KSC are proud of continuing the Korean-Mongolian International Joint Workshops on Pathology and Cytopathology for eight years. We believe that the Joint Workshops have strengthened the Korean-Mongolian relationship and have expanded Mongolian pathologist’s knowledge and experience in pathologic diagnosis, new technologies and quality assurance. Background: The Korean Society of Pathologists (KSP) and the Korean Society for Cytopathology (KSC) have held the Korean-Mongolian International Joint Workshop on Pathology and Cytopathology every year since 2007. We introduce the activities of KSP/KSC in Mongolia for eight years. Methods: The Joint Workshops have several characteristics. First, Korean pathologists have shown that pathologists can perform medical services to overseas public society by education. Second, it is the first international cooperative education project which KSP/KSC has carried out. Third, it is not a temporary event but a long-lasting continuous educational program held in the capital as well as in the cities of provinces, Mongolia. Fourth, KSP/KSC has helped setting up the laboratories as well as has supplied reagents and instruments for Papanicolaou staining. KSP/KSC has also educated Mongolian pathologists and cytotechnologists for diagnosis and PAP screening. Fifth, the members of KSP/KSC have performed volunteer services paying all the travel expenses by themselves. Results: In Ulan Baator, the Joint Workshops have been held seven times since 2007. The education program has covered all the fields of pathology starting from cervicovaginal smear. Since 2008, the Joint Workshops have been held in the cities of Mongolian provinces including Dornod/Choibalsan, Arhangay, Orkon/Erdenet Umnugovi and Ulaangom/Uvs. The number of Mongolian attendees was increased from 60 (2007) to 206 (2014). The members of KSP/KSC who participated in the Joint Workshops increased from nine to 18. In addition, the members of KSP/KSC have invited Mongolian pathologists and technologists to Korea for training in their departments. Conclusions: The KSP and KSC are proud of continuing the Korean-Mongolian International Joint Workshops on Pathology and Cytopathology for eight years. We believe that the Joint Workshops have strengthened the Korean-Mongolian relationship and have expanded Mongolian pathologist’s knowledge and experience in pathologic diagnosis, new technologies and quality assurance.