[Postgraduate trainings program in pathology and laboratory medicine at teaching hospitals of Japan]

It is meaningful to propose a postgraduate training program in pathology and laboratory medicine to select the course after graduation and promote recognition of the roles of pathologists(AP) and laboratory physicians(CP). It is desirable that the training program be common to both AP and CP, although this would be difficult in practice. So author proposes a practical training program that should involve making rounds with AP and CP. The desirable period of training is 3 or 4 years. In the program of laboratory medicine for AP, conferences and CPC are essential and other courses are elective. In the selective program, laboratory management is very important because it will be useful when the graduate becomes a laboratory manager. In the pathology program for CP, autopsy and CPC(as a pathologist) are essential. Training in surgical pathology and cytology are desirable to set limits in materials, for example, liver, kidney, bone marrow, and other tissues. Key points of successful training are good relationships chiefs of AP and CP, high level performance and give-and-take in routine work. It is very difficult to study and maintain the knowledge and technique necessary in all fields of pathology and laboratory medicine. So the author emphasizes that the training program should be constructed to focus on useful issues in routine work and management of laboratory.