Discussion: Pathology and Medicine
Discussion: Pathology and Medicine
Discussion: Pathology and Medicine
In forming each of your replies, consider how your expectation of pathology differs from your classmates. Do you agree with them, or is this an area you feel you can expound on in a positive manner that may add to their understanding?
each post should be 250 word and it should bein APA format
first post
Pathology and Medicine
2/18/2021
The definition of pathology as described by The Merriam-Webster dictionary is “the study of the essential nature of diseases and especially of the structural and functional changes produced by them” (Dictionary by Merriam-Webster, 2021). The question that has been posed is what exactly does this mean, and how does it pertain to medicine? I believe that the most obvious connection between the definition and medicine is the link of diseases. Disease can plague many things, including, more specifically, humans. Diseases can cause changes, both structural and functional to the human body and medicine, works to learn to treat and, hopefully, rid the body of the disease.
In order to treat and rid the body of the disease, examinations are necessary of the affected area, whether it be tissues, organs, autopsies, etc. Pathology has been broken down into eight different areas, depending on the area of the body that the disease has affected (Robertson, 2019). The areas of pathology are, anatomical, clinical, chemical or biochemical, general, genetic, hematological, immunological, and microbiological (Robertson, 2019).
The definition of a pathologist as described by The Merriam-Webster dictionary is “a physician who interprets and diagnoses the changes caused by disease in tissues and body fluids” (Dictionary by Merriam-Webster, 2021). In contrast, the definition of a medical examiner as defined by The Merriam-Webster dictionary is “a usually appointed public officer whose duties are similar to those of a coroner but who is typically required to have specific medical training (as in pathology) and is qualified to conduct medical examinations and autopsies” (Dictionary by Merriam-Webster, 2021).
A pathologist is a medical professional, and often times obtains a medical degree (M.D. or D.O.) and who studies the science of diseases and the causes and treatment methods of the diseases (Study.com, 2020). A medical examiner is someone who also, similarly, obtains a medical degree (M.D. or D.O.) and solely investigate deaths that have occurred as well as do post death procedures (Study.com, 2020). Both professions are very similar; however, the differentiating factor is that pathologists typically are focused on present diseases and the future betterment of understanding the diseases in order to learn how to best treat them in the future (Study.com, 2020). Whereas, medical examiners, typically, focus on those who have already passed and are looking for an explanation of their disease/disorder and what may have caused their death (Study.com, 2020).
As a Christian, I believe that both a pathologist and a medical examiner serve those in need. Pathologists aid those in the future and those who are to be diagnosed with diseases. Medical examiners, I feel as though help the most to the remaining family members of the diseased rather than the diseased themselves. Their job helps to find a source to their loved one’s mortality and potentially aiding in their closure of their loss. Both I believe serve others in need and are very noble professions. These professions can be viewed as biblically as stated in 1 Peter 4:10, “as every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God” (King James Bible, 2021).
References
Dictionary by Merriam-Webster: America’s most-trusted online dictionary. (n.d.). Retrieved February 19, 2021, from
King James Bible. (n.d.). Retrieved February 19, 2021, from
Robertson, S. (2019, February 27). What is pathology? Retrieved February 19, 2021, from
Study.com. (2020, May 29). Retrieved February 19, 2021, from
Second post
Pathology and Medicine
Pathology is at its simplest the study of diseases. This is really where we can visually see the marrying of science and medicine. We see pathology at every intersection of medicine. It is an important undergirding of patient care. We see pathology in diagnostic testing and this evidence can directly impact the treatment advice that we give to our patients that can directly impact a patient’s outcome from the condition or disease that they are suffering from. We also see pathology being at the forefront of the research that is advancing medicine and our understanding of the human body. Pathologists are also at the cutting edge fighting and treating such things as viruses, infections, and diseases like cancer, and even the virus that is still very prevalent in everyone’s minds, SARS-CoV-2 also known as COVID-19. The great thing about the field of pathology is that it is so multifaceted. It is a strong possibility that many of the doctors that you may have interfaced with at some point may have been a pathologist or cross-trained in pathology. This seems to be something that may be becoming more common in specialty practice to provide the greatest level of care to their patients. The fascinating thing is that pathology can be broken into a few areas of interest such as histology where they study tissues, cytology where they study how cells function, the way in which they look, and how they are ultimately formed. One of the other areas is forensic pathology which will look at an autopsy to ascertain the cause of death. Specifically, from a Christian worldview, I find pathology to be one of the fields that can so explicably show us God’s creation in action. I believe that this particular field of medicine also has the unfortunate aspect of being on the frontlines of seeing just how far the ramifications of original sin have caused issues to the world in which we live. I think as a Christian and wanting to see a change in our world that having an understanding of pathology is just another avenue that we can take to push back the darkness that we see in our world. Discussion: Pathology and Medicine
A medical examiner is going to be an official that has been trained in pathology techniques so that in the events of a death they can investigate it to ascertain what may be the cause of death in a situation that is suspicious or has no ascertainable cause that does not corroborate natural causes. Typically, the medical examiner will be a trained physician versus a corner that may not always be a trained physician. A pathologist is a trained physician that will be searching for the cause of a disease and illness in a patient. Based upon those two definitions the most notable difference between the two is that one deals with those that are no longer among us, the medical examiners, and another that is still seeking to try and save the living by trying to find a cause and cure before the patient is no longer with us. I believe just like the previously mentioned field that as a Christian it may be slightly easier to be a medical examiner being able to lean into your faith when you see some of the saddest things that can happen to people but will still be difficult none the less. Discussion: Pathology and Medicine
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