Forensic Pathology

**asklepios** · 25-08-2008, 01:25 PM

Once you get into Histopathology training, it's rather easy to do (from what I've read). Getting a histopathology post isn't that easy, though. Last year, there were 87 ST1 posts, and 757 people applied for them, 296 of whom chose it as their 1st choice. The least competitive specialty seems to be Urology, with 1.9 applicants per post, and the most competitive Clinical Radiology with 18.1 applicants per post. Histopath falls right in the middle ground with 8.7. This is from the MMC website. Competition Ratios

**Amberj** · 25-08-2008, 09:20 PM

Thank you. That is a really interesting link!

**Amberj** · 25-08-2008, 09:27 PM

Not sure if I'm reading the table correctly, but you've actually got more chance to get into Paediatrics, than Histopathology?

**belis** · 25-08-2008, 10:04 PM

Paediatrics is not that popular. At the start of medical school many people fancy peads thinking about working with cute babies. When you actually try it out with all it involves (angry parents, dieing children, tinny neonates requiring highly invasive procedures, child abuse, adolescents that won't follow your advice no metter what etc etc) it suddenly looses some of its appeal.

**Amberj** · 27-08-2008, 03:02 AM

That's interesting, as the public perception seems to be that Peads is an extremely popular speciality. Thanks for the insight. Do you get quite a lot of angry parents? Is that because they are scared and want someone to blame/feel the doc is not doing enough etc?

**Sarah_Louise** · 11-11-2008, 01:02 PM

Hello guys!

This thread has helped me a lot! I am currently at college studying an NHS Traineeship Programme which is the same as BTEC National Diploma in Health Studies. Like all of you guys I have always been intrested in forensic pathology but I wanted to become a nurse as I felt this was only a three year degree and then I was ready to go out into the working world.

I am 20 years old and felt I would be ancient by the time I would be a qualified forensic pathologist! But recently I have decided you only live once and I may just end up studying pathology later on in life anyway due to the big intrest I have so I should study now.

I have soooo many questions. Google has been a little help but this thread has helped me more than a lot of sites I have looked at. I do not know what to expect at medical school. I know it will be challenging but I am worried that once I have been accepted I will find it really difficult! Don't get me wrong, I love a challenge and I do have a lot of drive even though I sound like I don't! I have ambition too but I am just very nervous about studing the first term then realising it is too difficult and dropping out. Is this normal? Were you all nervous too?

Also universities. I want to go to Hull University. I know it isn't exactly prestigious and I don't want to spend five years at Hull Uni working really hard then to lose out on entry when it comes to studying pathology because of the uni. Some of you might think what the hell is she talking about!? But I am concerned students that have been to better uni's will get picked first. Is this something to worry about or not?

I am also worried I get all these qualifications then I can't find work?! I did not realise there were limited work places.

For my work experience at college I am going to ask if I can work in the labs at hospital so I can get an insight and I will bombard the staff with questions!

Thank you in advance!

**maniacsandwichbar** · 18-12-2008, 05:23 PM

I must admit though, forensic pathology is a very hard industry to get into

I'm looking to get into it, if anyone can give me more details? (please see my thread for more info)

Thanks

**maniacsandwichbar** · 18-12-2008, 10:26 PM

cheers for that

i looked at the website you said, and it's very informative.

so i would do that histopathology programme after completing a medicine degree and 2 years foundation training (as if i was going to become a doctor)?

**asklepios** · 18-12-2008, 10:34 PM

Originally Posted by maniacsandwichbar

cheers for that

i looked at the website you said, and it's very informative.

so i would do that histopathology programme after completing a medicine degree and 2 years foundation training (as if i was going to become a doctor)?

Yes, Forensic Pathologists are medical doctors. Perhaps you want to look into being a Crime Scene Investigator? There's a 2-year Foundation Degree at Queen Mary, U of London. The Forensic Science Service webpages used to have quite a bit of info on the different careers available Forensic Science Service - Career Opportunities Here's another resource on Forensic Science: Forensic Science Society | Home | Careers

The process of becoming a doctor is long and arduous, and I'm sure that many people may have started out with an interest in pathology and switch to other fields when they realise it's not quite like it's portrayed on telly (and they get excited by other subject areas).

**onslo** · 05-05-2009, 06:28 PM

Although i have been in a junior member of this forum, this is the first time that im posting a thread here, anyway. its quite refreshing to find that there are other people in this world who find the cutting up of dead people facinating. im a new one to the love of medicine, im doing my first year of pre-medicine and i believe that if i wont be cutting up living people in the operating theater, forensic pathology will be my second love. i need more motivation though and some more information on the field. can someone please help out with some websites.