[Certified clinical pathologists and the program of postgraduate training in clinical pathology]

Clinical chemistry is one of the core subjects required to master for doctors willing to be certified as a specialist in clinical pathology or laboratory medicine. For the past several decades, clinical chemistry has developed so rapidly and widely into many disciplines, such as microchemistry, electrochemistry, immunochemistry, molecular biology and robotics, that it is no more easy even for specialists to understand details in its whole scope nor to utilize the variety of principles, techniques, and equipment. In fact, clinical chemistry today covers such a wide range of laboratory tests as immunoassays, drug monitoring, toxicology, pregnancy tests, and gene diagnosis, in addition to chemical or enzymatic quantification of thousands of substances. Under such enormous circumstances, the program of postgraduate training, particularly in clinical chemistry, should be aimed at raising the capability to fulfill current requirements in medical practice, scientific research, consultative education and laboratory management, as well as to pursue lifelong self-disciplinary education. This capability must be obtained not only in knowledge or skills but also in attitude.