Technical and Professional Components in Pathology Practices – Business and Educational Opportunities for Community Based Pathologists

Abstract

Abstract Introduction/Objective Community based Pathologists (CBPs) are challenged by limited resources, decreasing revenue, continuous learning, workload burnout and acquisition by corporate health care groups. Pathology residency programs (PRPs) are traditionally offered at academic centers and are focused on teaching, research, clinical work, and residents are graduated with core diagnostic competencies. Upto 60% graduates usually join private practices, therefore, understanding the business aspects of pathology and abreast with innovative technologies continue to be challenge among CBPs. We conducted and presented our survey to evaluate opportunities and challenges for CBPs for adopting various technical and professional components (TC and PC) in their practices. Methods/Case Report Survey was conducted via interview for a total of 42 CBPs. Questions related to TC and PC were divided into 1) Immunohistochemical stains (IHC); 2) Flow cytometry (FC); 3) Fluorescence in-situ hybridization (FISH); and 4) Clinical pathology professional component (CPPC). Results (if a Case Study enter NA) CBPs understands the importance of TC and PC services, however 25/42 (60%) have been using it to some extent. Of those that are utilizing such TC services, 10/25 (40%) were using IHC and FC; 4/25 (16%) were using FISH. The CPPC was used by 26/42 (61%) Conclusion We concluded that there are several reasons for CBPs who are not utilizing TC and PC services to its full capacity such as 1) not trained well enough to read TC of IHC, FL and FISH; 2) No formal educational opportunities available to train CBPs; 3) Cumbersome lab portals to access data; 4) Billing of such services becomes complicated; 5) Workload burnout and no added incentives by practices; and 6) Limited resources to capture CPPC due to interface and integration of billing software’s. We suggest PRPs to offer electives and incorporate private practice experience for trainees, so they are prepared to embrace such business and educational opportunities.