Pathologists are doctors who diagnose disease by examining blood, body fluids, and tissue under the microscope and with laboratory testing. They work closely with your care team to confirm diagnoses, guide treatment, and monitor response to care. Most of their work happens behind the scenes, but their findings are central to your treatment plan.

What Is a Pathologist?

A pathologist is a physician who specializes in diagnosing diseases and other medical conditions by means of lab work and allied procedures. Pathologists collect tissue and fluid samples, analyze them chemically or microscopically, report their findings to the patient’s medical team, and participate in the development and oversight of treatment plans. They also play a central role in the study of disease, leading research teams in the creation of new medicines and therapeutic techniques.

Pathologists complete medical or osteopathic school and a residency in anatomic pathology, clinical pathology, or both; some pursue additional subspecialty training. They are licensed to practice and often board certified, with many maintaining certification through ongoing education.

What Does a Pathologist Do?

A pathologist typically assists in patient care when a referring physician, either a primary care physician (PCP) or another specialist, requires specialized expertise in the diagnosis and treatment of a medical condition. In this role, the pathologist will:

• Examine tissue, blood, and other samples using laboratory and microscopic techniques.
• Collect or receive tissue and fluid samples for medical analysis (some pathologists perform patient-facing procedures in specific settings).
• Oversee clinical staff in the conduct of lab work.
• Provide a medical interpretation of analyzed samples.
• Report findings to the primary care doctor and other members of the medical team.
• Collaborate with the medical team in designing or managing a treatment plan.
• Monitor patient progress with follow-up testing and analysis.

Pathologists are found in laboratory, hospital, private office, and other institutional settings. Many are also involved in university-based research programs.

What Types of Pathologists Are There?

Pathologists are trained in one or more specialties:

• Clinical chemistry (chemical pathology): Focus on measuring and interpreting substances in blood, urine, and other fluids.
• Cytopathology: Cellular diagnosis of diseases (including cancer).
• Dermatopathology: Diagnosis of disease via microscopic examination of skin samples.
• Forensic pathology: Diagnostic techniques to determine cause of death in deceased individuals.
• Hematopathology: Diseases of the blood, bone marrow, and lymphatic organs.
• Medical microbiology: Identification of the pathogens that cause infectious disease.
• Neuropathology: Diagnosis of nerve diseases from tissue and cell samples.
• Pediatric pathology: Study of medical disorders in infants, children, and adolescents.
• Transfusion medicine (blood banking): Oversight of blood supplies and transfusion practices.

With the recent advances in genetic research, some pathologists are now using sophisticated clinical procedures to study the hereditary component of many medical conditions.

When Should You See a Pathologist?

Most patients do not meet directly with a pathologist; if needed, visits are typically by referral from your primary care clinician or specialist. Lab work and associated clinical procedures are critical in both the diagnosis of health issues and in the treatment of a wide array of diseases.

You might see a pathologist if:

• Your primary care physician thinks that you would benefit from in-depth diagnostic analysis.
• You have symptoms that lab work can help diagnose.
• You have possible evidence of cancer.
• You show signs of an infectious disease.
• You’ve provided a tissue or fluid sample requiring analysis and interpretation.
• You require the regular monitoring of a chronic condition.
• Your medical condition is complicated and would benefit from the additional input of a disease specialist.

You might also see a pathologist to obtain a second opinion on a medical condition for which you’ve been diagnosed.

What Can I Expect at My Visit to a Pathologist?

Patient visits to pathologists occur but are relatively unusual. The pathologist’s role in healthcare is critical but is largely in the background, typically focused on lab work and analysis. Many samples requiring medical evaluation can be collected by your primary care doctor or another specialist and forwarded to the lab.

If circumstances warrant it – for example, your medical situation isn’t easily diagnosed – your PCP might refer you to a pathologist directly. When this happens, the pathologist or a member of their team will collect tissue or fluid samples for medical evaluation. On interpreting your lab work and reaching a diagnosis, your pathologist will consult with your PCP and other members of your healthcare team. They might also play a role in any follow-up procedures, which could include monitoring your response to a treatment plan.

In rare cases, a pathologist will become the lead physician in caring for a patient. Most often, this involves the pathologist in their role as a manager of blood supplies and transfusion services.

If you have evidence of a medical condition that requires lab work or another diagnostic procedure, the Baptist Health pathology team is ready to serve. For more information, use our online provider directory.

Pathologist FAQs

Is a pathologist a doctor?

Yes, all pathologists are medical or osteopathic doctors. They typically have 11 or more years of education and training: a four-year undergraduate degree, a four-year medical-school degree, a three-year residency in pathology, and often another year or two in a fellowship program.

Is a pathologist a lab technician?

No. Pathologists are medical or osteopathic doctors who typically head up a clinical team. A lab technician is a highly trained clinical worker who, in many cases, conducts lab work under the guidance of the pathologist.

Are pathologists ever the lead doctor in providing patient care?

Typically no, but there are exceptions. Though most patient interaction with a pathologist occurs through referral from another physician, there are situations in which the pathologist becomes the primary point person for the medical team treating a patient (for example, when care involves transfusion medicine).