Patients' perspective of pathology specimens. A prospective study
Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 24, 2026
DIPLOMA Approach for Standardized Pathology Assessment of Distal Pancreatectomy Specimens
Published on: February 1, 2020
Y L Hock1, C Balachandar, S Dicken
1Department of Histopathology, Walsall Hospitals NHS Trust, Walsall WS2 9PS, UK. yelin.hock@walsallhospitals.nhs.uk
Aim:
To determine the degree of patients' interest in surgical pathology specimens. To assess the impact of patients' involvement in surgical pathology on their understanding of (and confidence in) the storage and use of pathology specimens.
Methods:
Forty seven patients were invited to visit the pathology department and view their specimens postoperatively. Those who visited were asked to complete a questionnaire to assess the effect of the visit.
Results:
Thirty three of the 47 patients wished to view their specimens, but only 14 actually made the visit. All those who visited indicated that it made them better able to understand the reason for surgery and tissue retention issues, and more likely to consent to the use of excess tissue for research.
Conclusion:
In general, patients are keen to know what happens to and what is wrong with the organs removed at surgery, and their involvement in surgical pathology can have positive and beneficial effects both for themselves and the profession.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
01:26Sputum Studies I: Gram Stain, cytology, and Acid-fast smear and culture
Gram Stain
The Gram Stain is an integral part of sputum studies. It involves the staining of sputum, which permits...
01:20Sputum Studies II: Culture and Sensitivity
Sputum culture and sensitivity is a medical procedure used to diagnose bacterial infections in the respiratory tract and select the most appropriate antibiotics for treatment. This process involves analyzing sputum samples of thick and opaque secretions produced in the lungs and airways. These samples are collected from patients and then sent to the laboratory for analysis.
The test can identify various pathogens responsible for respiratory infections, including Streptococcus,...