Identifying Competency Required for Independent Practice in Histopathology

Abstract

Histopathological diagnosis of tissue removed at surgical procedures forms the cornerstone of patient management in the appropriate context. As the competence and accountability are of foremost importance in this specialty, it is necessary for histopathologists to be professionally up to date in their profession. Thus, there is a need for the development of a competency based continuous professional development (CPD) program for this specialty. Several techniques have been described to identify competencies expected of doctors in general.1 A number of techniques have been described to be most appropriate for identifying competencies in the field of histopathology. These identified competencies are implicitly linked with the concept of CPD and help to determine priorities of a CPD program. The identified competencies would also be of value when introducing changes to the existing curricula/training programs for histopathology residents, ensuring achievement of these competences at the entry level to the specialty level as independent practitioners.