RxPG - PAEDIATRIC PATHOLOGY - Recent Update by RCPath from 2004

Entry requirements

Part 1 in histopathology ‘slanted’ towards paediatric pathology

Candidates usually take this examination after two years of training in histopathology in a department recognised for training in paediatric pathology or, in the case of candidates with postgraduate experience in paediatrics, obstetrics or fetal medicine, two years of training in a department recognised for training in general histopathology.

Part 2 in paediatric pathology

Candidates must have:
· passed Part 2 MRCPath in histopathology and cytopathology or in histopathology ‘slanted’ towards paediatric pathology
· completed four years of training, at least three of which must be at specialist registrar grade in a recognised paediatric pathology training programme.

Structure, format and content of the examinations

Part 1 in Histopathology ‘slanted’ towards paediatric pathology
Paper 1 is the same as for candidates in Part 1 histopathology and cytopathology (see above).
Paper 2 contains essay and short note questions relating to the principles and practice of perinatal pathology and paediatric surgical pathology.

Part 2
The examination takes place over at least two days and consists of:
· a full perinatal or paediatric autopsy followed by a viva (2–3 hours)
· 20 surgical cases for which immunohistochemistry is not provided. This may include anything which is not post-mortem material (3 hours)
· special techniques: 3–5 surgical or post-mortem cases in which the candidate will be provided with the H&E slides and relevant histochemistry, immunohistochemistry electron microscopy and molecular biology (2 hours)
· 2–3 long cases: perinatal autopsy cases on which a report including clinicopathological correlation will be requested (2 hours)
· macroscopic examination which may involve surgical cut-up or fixed specimens (1 hour)
· oral examination: this may include all aspects of provision of a paediatric or perinatal pathology service including laboratory management, health and safety and ethics (up to 1 hour).

Standards and marking methods

The candidate should reach a minimum pass mark in all sections of the examination and be able to demonstrate competence in perinatal and paediatric pathology appropriate for an independent consultant paediatric pathologist and to enter the continuing professional development and external quality assurance schemes.