Pathologists at the cinema, more than you would expect

Why are lab tasks considered unsociable jobs?

The preconceived idea of pathologists regarding the expectations of personality and operations is often associated with film and television in their depiction of the pathology field. Often with the association that it’s an antisocial discipline that doesn’t possess good people skills, especially with patients. 

Examples of shows such as Scrubs, where Dr Doug Murphy failed miserably with patients, even killing one to then get moved to a pathology residency. Fuels the fire inciting the ideology that pathology is unsociable. 

It’s not a surprise that films and television embellish stereotypes and insinuate comical or unflattering perceptions of healthcare, with pathology and pathologists being a part of this collective. But is there any truth to the suggested claims?

Some lab tasks are considered unsociable, as the analysis takes time and patience to examine and inspect any abnormalities and ensure that procedures are followed precisely. As not to contaminate the sample and allow for comparative testing, which is often initially conducted individually to follow procedure. 

Pathologists are often misrepresented, giving a false perspective of what it means to work in pathology—hematopathology, cytopathology, and dermatopathology.1 A simple classification is that pathology is at the forefront of classifying diseases and incorporating new diagnostic modalities into clinical practice examining bodies and body tissues.2 Responsible for performing lab tests. Therefore, a pathologist helps other healthcare providers reach diagnoses and is a critical treatment team member.

Influence of films and TV series: image of the microscope loner

There’s often a misconception in films and TV series that pathology is focused on autopsies and examining. Examples such as Twin Peaks, House, Bones, etc. All of which have characters portraying pathologists but minimising the full extent of the daily operations of pathology and how autopsies are only a small portion of an anatomic pathology residency.1 

Although it’s a requirement for pathology, residents in anatomic pathology need to perform a certain number of autopsies in residency to become board-certified; it does not indicate the profession as a whole, which some of these series depicts.1 

It can present a shallow idea of pathology when it’s a fascinating field delving into the world of diagnostics through various means and continuing to develop and advance with the assistance of technological advances and research.

Also, it is frequent to see the individual being hugely intelligent whilst lacking social skills to communicate or thrive as a part of a collaborative team. Giving the impression that pathologists avoid people and prefer the lab at all times couldn’t be further from the truth of pathology for the majority of pathologists. 

Collaboration and cooperation are key components of operations involving socialisation and the ability to communicate and articulate well. Pathology is a discipline that takes many years to acquire full training. Some people may be deterred from the pathology route due to concerns that it’s a sheltered existence, with the microscope becoming your best friend.

Unilabs is a family

However, no one works alone. Pathology is a multifaceted discipline that can accommodate all personality types in a standard four-year anatomic pathology /clinical pathology (AP/CP) residency; residents spend at least 18 months on clinical pathology (CP) rotations, including transfusion medicine (blood banking), microbiology, and hematopathology.1 Each of these rotations offers numerous opportunities for patient interactions. 

And not to mention, although individual assessments and evaluations are a key component of the role, cross-examination and second opinions are instrumental in Unilabs procedures as we recognise the importance of collaboration and exchange from the excellent minds of our Unilabs Pathologists. 

At Unilabs, we pride ourselves on our incredible teams of pathologists across the world, instrumental in diagnostic health analysis. All the misconceptions and funny anecdotes of pathologists represent the field’s familiarity with the unsung understanding and recognition that goes into a vital aspect of healthcare.