An exploratory study on the perceptions of Filipino speech-language pathologists on their roles in social development

Background@#The current Policies, Standards and Guidelines for Speech Pathology Education of the Commission on Higher Education of the Philippines includes competencies that prepare speech pathology graduates for roles in social development such as being advocates and community-based therapists. These need to be further explored to guide practitioners in defining their roles from those of the clinicians, educators, or researchers. @*Objective@#This preliminary study explored the perceptions of Filipino speech-language pathologists on their roles in social development. @*Methodology@#This study used a qualitative design through focus group interviews. Seven participants were selected through purposive sampling and assigned to one of two group interviews. The participants were members of the Philippine Association of Speech-Language Pathologists, living in Metro Manila, and had been involved in community programs in varied capacities. Data were analyzed using thematic analysis. @*Results and Discussion@#Three roles of speech-language pathologists in social development were identified: (1) being an advocate for the profession and for people with disabilities, (2) health service educator which involves imparting knowledge and training people from the community, and (3) a community-based therapist. @*Conclusions@#The results provide insights into the areas of competence necessary in community service and development to further inform the 2017 CHED memorandum and help design specific courses that equip graduates to assume the role of a social advocate. Competencies related to these roles in social development can still be further clarified by future research and should be specifically targeted in the curricula.

The need for communication between clinicians and pathologists in the context of oral and maxillofacial diseases

Abstract Good communication between clinicians and pathologists is a vital element in the diagnostic process, and poor communication can adversely affect patient care. There is a lack of research about communication in diagnostic oral and maxillofacial pathology. This narrative review explores different aspects of the quality of communication between clinicians and oral pathologists, with a focus on the diagnosis of oral and maxillofacial diseases. An electronic search was carried out in MEDLINE through the PubMed, Scopus, and Embase databases up to April 2021. No studies reporting communication, its adequacy or the required skills between clinicians and pathologists in oral diagnosis were found. According to studies published in medicine, strategies for improving communication skills include clinician-pathologist collaboration; a well-formatted, clear and thorough report; training in communication skills; and patient-centered care. Further studies evaluating the current practices and quality in oral and maxillofacial pathology are required to identify barriers and encourage optimal communication to facilitate diagnosis, as well as patient safety.

Descriptive survey on the practice patterns of Filipino speech-language pathologists on voice disorders

Purpose@#Filipino speech-language pathologists (SLPs) face challenges in applying evidence-based practice (EBP) due to lack of training, exposure, and experience. Without EBP being embedded in the educational curricula and clinical practice guidelines (CPGs), SLPs will continue to face barriers in providing evidencebased services. This study aimed to map the practice patterns of SLPs on voice disorders and benchmark these practices with international evidence-based practice guidelines. @*Methodology@#A cross-sectional descriptive survey design was used. Seventeen out of 61 (28%) Filipino SLPs with clinical experience in voice disorders responded to an online survey form. The form was composed of these sections: (1) Practice Profile, (2) Etiologies of Voice Disorders, (3) Case Study, and (4) Clinical Practice Perspectives. The quantitative and qualitative data sets were analyzed to obtain the practice profiles of SLPs and identify gaps in relation to established evidence-based practice patterns. @*Results@#The study revealed that 70% (n=12) of clinicians fall within five years of practice and work at hospitals. Majority of their clients are adults between 26 to 80 years old. On average, clinicians see one to two clients with voice disorders every week and hold around seven to nine voice therapy sessions prior to discharge. Structural pathologies were the most frequent etiology reported. Content analysis revealed that clinicians rely on the use of clinical experience and patient values for assessment and intervention of voice disorders. @*Conclusion@#The findings suggest that Filipino SLPs managing voice disorders predominantly rely on clinical experience and patient values for clinical decision-making. They sparsely use external evidence in assessment, differential diagnosis, and intervention which might compromise the quality of care. To ensure the best patient care, EBP needs to be incorporated in undergraduate education, professional development, and regulatory requirements of the Philippine Association of Speech Pathologists.

Quando exercícios de fortalecimento da língua refletem na região cervical / When tongue strength exercises reflect in the cervical region

RESUMO Objetivo: Comparar o impacto do exercício isocinético "sucção da língua contra o palato" na região cervical em participantes Classe I e Classe II/2.ª Divisão, considerando a média e a simetria do Root Means Square (RMS) dos músculos supra-hióideos e suboccipitais, e relatos sensoriais cervicais. Método: Onze participantes Classe I e 19 Classe II/2.ª Divisão, ambos os gêneros, média de idade 33,4 ±14,1 anos. Para análise da média do RMS e da simetria, realizou-se eletromiografia dos músculos suboccipitais e supra-hióideos, bilateralmente, no repouso e na sucção de água nas fases inicial, intermediária e final. A sensação cervical foi avaliada qualitativamente durante os exercícios. Resultados: A média do RMS não apresentou diferença entre Classes (p=0,7), mas revelou, na fase intermediária, elevação na musculatura suboccipital (p=0,0001) e diminuição na musculatura supra-hióidea. Na simetria, a musculatura supra-hióidea mostrou diferença significativa entre classes (p=0,0001) durante a fase intermediária. No participante Classe I, foi restabelecida a simetria na fase final, fato que não ocorreu na Classe II/2.ª Divisão. Em relação à sensação cervical, somente os Classe II/2.ª Divisão apresentaram queixas expressivas. Conclusão: O exercício isocinético de sucção da língua contra o palato repercutiu de forma expressiva com relatos de desconforto e dor cervical nos participantes Classe II/2.ª Divisão. Na média do RMS, não houve diferença entre as classes, mas, na fase intermediária, a musculatura suboccipital apresentou elevação de atividade significativa. A simetria na musculatura supra-hióidea teve diferença significativa entre as classes e assimetria na fase intermediária.

ABSTRACT Purpose: To compare the impact of isokinetic exercise (tongue suction on the palate) in the cervical region of Class I and Class II / 2nd Division participants, considering the average and the symmetry of Root Means Square (RMS) of suprahyoid and suboccipital muscles and cervical sensory reports. Method: 11 participants Class I and 19 Class II / 2nd Division, both genders, mean age 33.4 ± 14.1 years. For the analysis of RMS average and symmetry, electromyography was performed in the suboccipital and suprahyoid muscles, bilaterally, at rest and suction of water in the initial, intermediate and final phases. The cervical sensation was evaluated qualitatively during the exercises. Results: the mean RMS did not differ between Classes (p=0.7), but showed an increase in the intermediate phase in the suboccipital musculature (p=0.0001) and decrease in the suprahyoid musculature. In symmetry, the suprahyoid musculature showed a significant difference between classes (p=0.0001) during the intermediate phase. In the Class I participant the symmetry was reestablished in the final phase, a fact that did not occur in Class II / 2nd Division. Regarding the cervical sensation, only the Class II / 2nd Division had expressive complaints. Conclusion: The Isokinetic suctioning exercise of the tongue against the palate, had an expressive repercussion with reports of discomfort and neck pain in the Class II / 2nd Division participants. On average RMS, there was no difference between the classes, but in the intermediate phase, the suboccipital muscles showed a significant increase in the activity. Symmetry in the suprahyoid musculature had a significant difference between the classes and asymmetry in the intermediate phase.

Discusión multidisciplinaria para el diagnóstico de la fibrosis pulmonar idiopática / Multidisciplinary discussion for the diagnosis of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis

Antes de la publicación de la clasificación ATS/ERS 2002 de las neumonías intersticiales idiopáticas (NII), la evaluación histopatológica se consideraba la referencia de oro para el diagnóstico de las enfermedades pulmonares intersticiales (EPI). Sin embargo, varios estudios posteriores mostraron que las concordancias interobservador entre anatomopatólogos expertos torácicos eran sorprendentemente pobres ya que las apariencias histopatológicas pueden superponerse entre entidades distintas. Por lo anterior, se hace necesario un nuevo sistema diagnóstico que sirva de patrón de oro en pacientes con EPI. Es así como nace el concepto de discusión multidisciplinaria, para referirse a una reunión que permita la integración de todos los datos clínicos, radiológicos y patológicos disponibles para un paciente individual y así poder determinar un diagnóstico de trabajo.

Prior to the publication of the 2002 ATS / ERS classification of idiopathic interstitial pneumonias (IIP), the histopathological evaluation was considered the gold standard for the diagnosis of interstitial lung diseases (ILD). However, several subsequent studies showed that interobserver concordances between expert lung pathologists were surprisingly poor, since histopathological appearances may overlap between different entities. Therefore, a new diagnostic system that serves as a gold standard in patients with ILD became necessary. This is how the concept of multidisciplinary discussion was born, to refer to a meeting that allows the integration of all the clinical, radiological and pathological data available for an individual patient and thus be able to determine a working diagnosis.

Public health concern on occupational hazards among pathologists and microbiologists in Mysuru district, India

Background: Highly qualified and trained medical specialists such as Pathologists and Microbiologists who need to work at the microscope for long hours are at a high risk of musculoskeletal and ophthalmic disorders. This study is an attempt to identify such potential occupational hazards with the objectives to estimate the magnitude of occupational hazards among Pathologists and Microbiologists in Mysuru, and to assess the factors influencing these hazards among the study participants.Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted among the Pathologists and Microbiologists of Mysuru district over a period of six months, a total of 45 study participants were included. An online self-administered questionnaire was sent to the study participants through e-mail and asked to fill and submit online, keeping complete confidentiality, and with informed consent. The results were analysed using appropriate statistical methods.Results: Pathologists and Microbiologists in almost equal proportions consented and took part in the study. 67% of them reported work related musculoskeletal problems, and 42% had visual refractive errors, mostly myopia. 9% of them reported to have experienced occupational injuries, mostly needle-stick injuries. None of them reported to smoke. Majority were happy with the work atmosphere and environmental conditions. Most of them were positive about the work-related situation in the coming years.Conclusions: This study found that more than half of the pathologists and microbiologists are exposed to occupational hazards and have suffered musculoskeletal, ophthalmic morbidities and had injuries, but none of which were life-threatening. Most of the risk factors are avoidable through ergonomic equipment and training.

Medical Officers’ Awareness, Involvement and Training in Dysphagia Management / Jurnal Sains Kesihatan Malaysia

@#Awareness, involvement and training in dysphagia management are essential to ensure that patients are appropriatelyassessed for dysphagia and provided with intervention. The study aimed to identify levels of awareness, involvement andtraining of medical officers in dysphagia management. A total of 51 medical officers from the family medicine, medical,otorhinolaryngology, surgery, and neurosurgery departments in Hospital Universiti Sains Malaysia participated in thestudy. Levels of awareness, involvement and training of medical officers in dysphagia management were reported usingdescriptive analysis. Results indicate that medical officers lacked awareness and training in dysphagia management.Referral rates to speech-language pathologists for dysphagia management were low with 58.4% of medical officers havinghad seldom or never referred patients. The results provide valuable information for addressing dysphagia managementin the hospital.

Discussion on the feasibility of clinical pathology physician training for undergraduates majoring in forensic science / 中华医学教育探索杂志

Pathology diagnosis plays an important role in clinical medical activities but we have to face the plight of the scarcity of the pathological physicians in China.The curriculum structure in forensic science for undergraduates is almost equivalent to clinical medicine for undergraduates.However,the study of forensic pathology course makes the undergraduates' starting point of pathology of forensic science higher than that of clinical medical undergraduates.From the training experience of forensic pathologists and clinical pathologists' mutual exchange and cooperation in developed countries,we proposed that forensic undergraduates participate in the physician qualification examination as similar professional qualification and participate in the hospital standardized training of pathological physicians residents and apply for graduate professional degree education of clinical pathology to alleviate the shortage of clinical pathologists.

International Organization for Standardization (ISO) 15189

The College of American Pathologists (CAP) offers a suite of laboratory accreditation programs, including one specific to accreditation to the international organization for standardization (ISO) 15189 standard for quality management specific to medical laboratories. CAP leaders offer an overview of ISO 15189 including its components, internal audits, occurrence management, document control, and risk management. The authors provide a comparison of its own ISO 15189 program, CAP 15189, to the CAP Laboratory Accreditation Program. The authors conclude with why laboratories should use ISO 15189.

Biobanking: A Challenge Facing Pathologists in Egypt.

Background: Biobanking today plays a key tool in biomedical research. Establishment and proper running of biobanks in developing countries is confronted with a number of challenges of legal, ethical, and financial nature. Considering that there are no guidelines or regulations to control biobanking in Egypt; major ethical issues arise and are often managed by research ethics committees (RECs). Pathologists are the custodians of tissue samples in different universities and hospitals; they have an important role in advancement of scientific research. So, they have to equip themselves adequately to manage the evolution of pathology work towards integration of biomarker analysis in clinical research and to deal with the ethical and legal issues of biobanks in Egypt. Objective/Aim: The purpose of this review is to highlight the current situation of human tissue research and biobanking in Egypt with Comparative policy of other countries. We will address the role of pathologists and the difficulties and challenges facing the process of initiating biobanks and give some recommendations that might help different stakeholders for biobanking in Egypt. Conclusion: Egypt is one of the developing countries which are in need to implement biobanks to improve the quality of research. The review highlights the different challenges facing biobanks in Egypt, mainly: lack of legislations, consent form, public trust, tissue transfer and commercialization. It also discuss the role of pathologists and research ethics committees in establishing and maintaining the work in these biobanks; and to make every effort for the interests of the participants, community and scientific progress, hopefully for good future biomedical research in Egypt.

Ambulatory Phonation Monitor as an Indicator of Voice Use Profile in a Group of Speech Language Pathologists.

Aim: Speech-language pathologists (SLPs) can be recognized as professional voice users, as their job depends mainly on healthy and intact voices. The purpose of this study was to explore the vocal load characteristics in a group of SLPs compared to a control group consisting of subjects of different professional backgrounds. Study Design: Prospective study. Methodology: A group of 13 SLPs and a control group of 7 subjects working in different professions were included in the study. Vocal load during a whole working day was measured for all the participants using Ambulatory Phonation Monitor (APM). The measured parameters include total phonation time (TPT), cycle dose, and distance dose. Results: The SLPs group demonstrated significantly higher vocal load parameters than the control group including TPT, cycle dose, and distance dose (P. < 0.01). Conclusions: Vocal load parameters as measured by cycle dose and distance dose appear to be significantly higher in the SLPs group compared to the control subjects who are working in other non-voice demanding occupations.

Differences in the Determination of Cause and Manner of 127 Natural Death Cases by Postmortem Inspection and Autopsy / 대한법의학회지

Medico-legal investigations in Korea depend mostly on postmortem inspection without autopsy. Both untrained physicians and experienced forensic pathologists may not be able to determine the cause and manner of death only by postmortem inspection. The aim of our study was to show the limitations of postmortem inspection by evaluating the discrepancy between the results of postmortem inspection and autopsy after natural death. The manner of death by postmortem inspection changed to unnatural death in 9.4% of the cases (12 cases/127 cases) after autopsy. The cause of death in most cases was consumption of alcohol, agricultural chemicals, and antipsychotic intoxication. The cause of death by postmortem inspection changed in 24.3% of the cases (26 cases/107 cases) among cases of confirmed natural death after autopsy. The positive predictive value of cause of death by postmortem inspection was higher for cardiovascular disease (79.0%) and lower for chronic alcoholism and/or chronic liver disease (28.6%). This study shows that forensic pathologists could make considerable errors in determining the cause and manner of death without autopsy and emphasizes the necessity to refine medico-legal investigations in Korea by introducing the limited autopsy with toxicologic study and supportive postmortem imaging.

Diagnóstico serológico de la Hepatitis B / Serologic diagnostic of Hepatitis type B

Existen varios marcadores serolόgicos del virus de hepatitis B, siendo los más importantes el HBsAg, HBcAg, HBeAg y sus anticuerpos como el anti-HBs, el anticore, anticore IG M, anticore total y el anti e. Basado en la presencia del antígeno de superficie, se ha medido la seroprevalencia del virus de hepatitis B. Se considera a un país de alta prevalencia, si en la población estudiada los niveles son mayores del 8%. Se considera intermedia cuando oscila entre 2 y 8% y baja si es menos del 2%. La Caja Costarricense del Seguro Social cuenta con una red de 98 laboratorios, de los cuales 17 están dotados con los equipos necesarios para la determinación de los antígenos y anticuerpos del virus de la hepatitis B. Un estudio realizado en el 2005 determinó, en el ámbito nacional, una seroprevalencia del antígeno de superficie del 0.1% considerándose, a Costa Rica, como un país de baja incidencia del virus B. Se ha determinado también que San Isidro del General tiene una seroprevalencia intermedia del HBsAg. El Colegio Americano de Patólogos realiza un tipo de control externo para la CCSS en lo que se refiere a estas técnicas de laboratorio para la determinación y control del virus de hepatitis B. La aparición de los diferentes antigenos y anticuerpos mencionados se relacionan con momentos clínicos que se explican, considerándose de importancia, la persistencia del antígeno de superficie, por más de 6 meses, como un portador crónico.

The hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg), the hepatitis B core antigen (HBcAg), the hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg) and its antibodies such as the anti-HBs, the anticore (HBcAb), the IG M anticore (HBcAb Ig M), the total anticore; and the anti HBe (HBeAb) are found to be the most important among several serological markers for hepatitis B virus. The seroprevalence of hepatitis B virus was measured based on the presence of surface antigen. Any country is considered highly prevalent if the levels of the population under study are higher than 8%. The prevalence is considered intermediate if levels are between 2 and 8%; and it is low if they are less than 2%. The Caja Costarricense de Seguro Social relies on a network of 98 laboratories each with the necessary equipment to find out the antigens and antibodies of hepatitis B virus. A study carried out in 2005 determined a surface antigen seroprevalence of 0.1% in all the country. Therefore, Costa Rica has been ranked as a country with low incidence of HBV. It has also been determined that San Isidro del General holds an intermediate seroprevalence of HBsAg. The American Pathologists College executes an external control for CCSS regarding the laboratory techniques used to determine and control the hepatitis B virus. The appearance of the different antigens and antibodies mentioned is related to clinical moments that are explained. It is also considered as important, the persistence of surface antigen for more than 6 months as a chronic carrier.

Avances en la descripción del habla de personas con fisura labio-palatina / Advances in the Description of the Speech of People with Lip-palatal Fissure

Este artículo recopila información sobre los avances investigativos en la descripción de las producciones de habla de personas con fisura labiopalatina, para dar a conocer el campo de la fonética clínica en la formación de los fonoaudiólogos. En este texto se explora un estudio de caso de un sujeto de 12 años de edad con fisura palatina, que presenta habla hipernasal, escapes nasales de aire y oclusiones glóticas, evidenciadas tanto perceptual como espectrográficamente.

This article compiles information of current research in the speech description of people with cleft lip and palate, in order to present the advances in the field of clinical phonetics in the formation of the Speech Language Pathologists. This article also explores the case study of a 12 years old subject with cleft palate, hypernasal speech, nasal air escapes and glottal stops, which were detected perceptual and spectrographically.

Inadequacies of Death Certification: The Role of Forensic Pathologist / 대한법의학회지

Death certification is a public health surveillance tool and a valuable source of information at the national and local levels. Among activities that benefit from the availability of cause-of-death statistics obtained from death certificates are the monitoring of the health of populations, the setting of priorities and the targeting of intervention. Such statistics are also the keystone of much epidemiological study. So adequate writing cause-of-death statements for death is very important. The present study was undertaken to evaluate death certification in Seoul and Kyung-in area of Korea. The available 203 death certificates were obtained from the 1026 autopsy files of National Institute of Scientific Investigation(june, 2002-september, 2002). The summary of the results were: 1. Cases that writing the phenomenon such as cardiac or respiratory arrest, heart failure in the box of cause-of-death were 64 cases(31.5%). Cases that writing the immediate cause of death in the second or third line of box were 50 cases(24.6%). Cases that writing two or more immediate cause-of-death in one line of box were 36 cases(17.7%). 2. Cases that the statement of cause-of-death not correlated with the statement of manner-of-death were 18 cases(8.4%). 3. Cases that the immediate cause-of-death and manner-of-death is changed after autopsy were 179 cases(88.2%). The results of this study showed inadequacies of death certification in Seoul, Kyung-in area of Korea. We thought the reasons for this inadequacies of death certification were mainly insufficient education and campaign for physicians about accurate understanding of cause of death, manner of death. The forensic pathologists certified a number of deaths and have responsibility for education about cause of death, manner of death. So we emphasized need for forensic pathologists to be involved in works related with death certification forms and policies.

The Role of Clinical Pathologists in Nosocomial Infection Control in Korea: Challenge in the New Millennium / 대한임상병리학회지

Systemic nosocomial infection control programs were instituted for the first time in Korea by two university hospitals in Seoul in 1991 when full-time infection control nurses were employed. Since then, infection control programs and activities have been expanded to many university hospitals throughout the country, thanks to an increasing awareness of the importance of preventing nosocomial infections by the government, medical and academic communities and citizens' groups. However, progress has been slow. The tow major problems are: 1) the lack of financial incentives for the hospitals to prevent nosocomial infections ; and 2) a shortage of trained professionals, namely, the infection control nurse and the infection control physician. This review is to summerize the components of cost-effective infection control programs, and the current state of and the problems in the infection control in Korea; and to recommend the clinical pathologist a new role as a infection control physician, which will help not only to activate the infection control programs in the country, but also to reduce the financial loss of the hospital caused by nosocomial infections under the prospective payment system based on diagnosis related groups.

Running A Closed User Group for an Academic Society: Experience with The Korean Society of Clinical Pathologist' Information Network / 대한의료정보학회지

Korean Society of Clinical Pathologists' Information Network(KSCPIN) began its service as a Closed User Group (CUG) In HiTEL. one of the major information providers in Korea, on March 2nd, 1995. The KSCPIN is the first and the only society which has its own information network among the Regular Member Society of Korean Medical Association. As the name CUG implies. this network is opened only for the members of the society. The main concept of KSCPCIN is to offer various informations and opinion exchange sites only to the society members. For providing various laboratory related informations to every one, we accepted non-society members as KSCPIN members to make KSCPIN as an opened CUG. KSCPIN now offers various bulletins and library not only for the society members, except for some limitations. KSCPIN consists of 115 clinical pathologists, 60 clinical pathology residents, 34 business men, 26 physicians, and 15 others making the total members of 262 at present. With new definition of members and new menu, KSCPIN was self-estimated as a successful CUG, and we recommend the utilization of CUG for all academic societies. In near future, we are going to move the CUG on the internet. which is our finalgoal.

Perspective of The Korean Society of Pathologists

Only since the introduction of western medicine by Japanese officials and American missionaries in the late 1890's, has the Pathology in its modern concept been considered a major part of basic science in medical schools in Korea, after its role as a hospital service had long been ignored. Limited service of tissue diagnosis on surgical material was the only service performed. Professor Inamoto was the first Japanese pathologist to come to Korea and set up a Pathology Department at the Chosun Chongdogbu Hospital in 1913, and Dr. Mills appears to be the first American hospital pathologist who worked at Severance Hospital in 1913 practicing bacteriology and parasitology as well as lecturing pathology at the medical school. Korea was annexed by Japan from 1910 to 1945. The Korean Society of Pathologists (The former Chosun Society of Pathology) was founded on October 1, 1946, during the turmoil after the end of the Second World War and liberation from Japanese occupation. Only a handful of pathologists gathered for the delivery of the Society. The purpose of the Society was to study, research and exchange information and knowledge in the field of Pathology among its members. Since 1947 the Society had held regular annual academic meetings. In 1950 the Korean War occurred and the Korean Society of Pathologists (KSP) had to restart after the war. The still existing Monthly Slide Conference started in 1959, and the Pathology specialist system was adopted in 1963. There had been a considerable confusion during the adoption period of the pathology specialist system in this country, mainly because of the confused concept of the term "clinical pathology". In its start three categories, i.e., anatomic pathology, clinical pathology, and combined anatomic and clinical pathology were opened. However, the combined training program was eliminated in 1975, which eventually resulted in the separation of clinical pathologists from the KSP to found a new society of Clinical Pathology in 1980 against the advice of the KSP. The first official Journal of the Society, The Korean Journal of Pathology was launched in 1967, marking the 20th anniversary of the Society. It started as a biannual Journal and became a quarterly in 1977. In 1991 the Journal became a bimonthly periodical, and since 1996 the Society issues 12 volumes a year. From 1976, academic activity of the Society was expanded by opening its Spring Meeting in addition to the conventional annual Fall Meeting. In 1992 the Society adopted board of trustee system, providing a fresh blood transfusion. In 1996, the Society commemorated its 50th Anniversary, and published a record book, "The First Fifty Years of The Korean Society of Pathologists". As of December 1996, the Society has a total membership of 500 and 7 special study groups The Society holds 2 annual meetings, monthly slide conferences, several long and short courses, and workshops every year. Approximately 400 papers have been presented each year at the annual meetings. Approximately 350 anatomic pathologists work at hospitals, and a additional 50 pathologists are engaged in full time research at the Department of Pathology in medical schools and other research institutes. As we turn the first half century of founding the Korean Society of Pathologists we realize that we have to be well prepared for various expected and unexpected situations in the future. Enforcement of research pathology at medical schools appears to be the most urgent and important issue. For this purpose, the concept of basic pathology, research pathology, and hospital pathology (surgical pathology) should be clearly established. We also have to clearly define the differnece between anatomic pathology and clinical pathology in this country. At present, the clinical pathology stands alone without any collaboration with the KSP in terms of training program, specialty qualification and hospital practice. Undergraduate pathology education is another issue that we have to pay special attention. The number of full time research pathologists should be increased, and their active and dominant participation in the Society are needed. As the demand for the knowledge and promotions of special field of pathology increases, establishment of additional study group should be encouraged. And if the requirements are met, founding a new Special Pathology Society could also be encouraged. However, the basic skeleton and executive power of the KSP in training residents, qualifying specialty or subspecialty, and in representing the entire pathology field should be maintained and strictly enforced. Hospital pathology has been a dominant drive of the KSP for the last 35 years since the adoption of specialty system. The term, "Diagnostic Pathology" appears to be a term that can replace "Anatomic Pathology", "Surgical Pathology", or "Tissue Pathology" in this country. In future the demand of diagnostic pathology particularly endoscopy biopsy diagnosis, cytological diagnosis and evaluation of surgical operation would be greatly increased. Therefore, we have to be ready for the requirements of professional diagnostician in various fields of pathology as well as overall general diagnostic pathologist. Subspecialty qualification could be expected around the year 2005, when the membership of the Society is expected to be 700. The Korean Journal of Pathology has yet to be improved. It should contain more basic research articles produced by full-time basic pathology researchers. Papers related to hospital pathology (diagnostic pathology) including cytopathology should pursure not only originality but also its practical importance in our situation in this country. The Korean Journal of Pathology should aim for its acception and inclusion in international indexing system in near future.