How to Get Into: Paediatry and Perinatal pathology ST3

About the Author

Dr Taiki Fujiwara, ST6 in Paediatric and Perinatal Pathology, Pan London Deanery.

After graduating from UCL, I did core surgical training before joining histopathology training. 

I am currently the deanery trainee representative for Paediatric and Perinatal Pathology, and I am also on the editorial board for the Pathology Portal run by Health Education England and the Royal College of Pathologists.

Courses & Conferences to Attend

Before applying to Histopathology training, I did a taster week in Histopathology. I have done multiple free online courses involving the Human Tissue Act, genomic and molecular pathology, as well as Leadership courses. 

Regarding paediatric and perinatal pathology, all trainees will have a placement during ST1/2 of histopathology training. This is a mandatory component of the curriculum and is also the minimum requirement of the ST3 application.

There are undergraduate and junior trainee memberships for many of the societies, including The Royal College of Pathologists, The Pathological Society of Great Britain & Ireland, and the British Division of the International Academy of Pathology. These societies have regular conferences and career talks. 

Regarding the Paediatric and Perinatal Pathology training application, there are societies that you may consider joining, such as the Paediatric Pathology Society and the British and Irish Paediatric Pathology Association.

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How to Maximise Your Portfolio

Paediatric and perinatal pathology is a subspecialty of Histopathology, and the two ways to get into training are by getting a histopathology NTN or by doing non-trainee posts and showing that they have gained the ST2 level competencies. 

With the current situation, QIP, Audit, and teaching are essential criteria in successful histopathology applications. If you manage to get a presentation/poster at a conference, that would be great. Consultant Histopathologists are usually approachable, and they may be able to provide you with a project.

Involvement in a leadership role can be tiring during your training, but this would stand out. Attending leadership courses can be done online via the NHS Leadership Academy. Participating in your local hospital’s pathology week events and public engagement events of the Royal College of Pathologists is another area that one may consider to show commitment to the specialty. 

Once you have joined Histopathology, the requirements are minimal for application for the subspecialty.  It is more based around the interview process and exposure to the specialty, which can be arranged once you are in the histopathology training programme.

Making the Most of Your Day Job

Apart from the above regarding the portfolio, attending the MDTs to understand what a pathologist provides in terms of information and how that information is used during MDT. Attending MDTs may be the only way a junior trainee would meet a histopathologist during foundation training.

Making the Most of Paediatry and Perinatal Pathology ST3 Placements

Pathology-based rotation is rare, which is why exposure to the specialty is crucial. Taster days and MDT participation are examples of this. 

The other aspect of pathology includes medico-legal work, such as the coronial work. If you were involved with a patient care that requires a coroner’s inquest, that may be a great opportunity to observe another aspect of pathology. Coroners’ inquests are public events, and attending one may increase the understanding of the specialty. 

What about Non-Paediatry and Perinatal Pathology ST3 Placements?

Gain as much clinical experience. If you have a chance, read pathology reports and try to understand what the diagnosis is and how the management changes after the report.

Top 3 Tips for Getting Into Paediatry and Perinatal ST3 Pathology