Presented at the 2000 APIII Conference                        Return to 2000 Abstract Index

THE DOCTOR'S DOCTOR: PROMOTING PATHOLOGY THROUGH PATIENT EDUCATION

Affiliated Pathologists Medical Group
Torrance, California
Eric F. Glassy, MD

Paul K. Shitabata, MD and Eric F. Glassy, MD
Affiliated Pathologists Medical Group
Torrance, California

The laboratory is often viewed by the patient as a black box, a bewildering collection of sophisticated equipment where specimens are received and a diagnosis miraculously appears. Ironically, the physician most closely allied to these results--the pathologist--very rarely communicates with the patient. Unlike the popular media impression of the pathologist doing autopsies and solving murders, most pathologists practice in hospitals and private laboratories and are doctors to the living.

Recognizing the need for increased visibility, Affliated Pathologists Medical Group, a 28 pathologist medical group serving Southern California, created The Doctor’s Doctor web site. Part of our Internet strategy is to educate patients both about their disease as well as the role of the pathologist as a member of the health care team. Each patient bill from our group has a tag line urging patients to go the web site to learn more about their diagnosis, as well as our pathology group.

The Doctor’s Doctor site offers personalized interpretation of laboratory reports, explanation of diseases, medical news, and a discussion board, all from the viewpoint of the pathologist. There are three main components:

  1. Content:
    There is coverage of major and rare medical diseases where patients can find insights from the pathologist’s perspective. Included is a glossary of terms, Internet links, and a description of the role the pathologist plays in the diagnosis of each disease. To keep everyone up to date, there is "Medical News You Can Use" where recent medical news articles are interpreted through the eyes of the pathologist.
  2. Interpretation:
    Patients may submit a copy of their pathology report for review by a board certified pathologist who will "translate" the report from complicated and highly technical medical language into everyday language.
  3. Community Bulletin Board:
    "Got Path?" is an online discussion board with coverage of major diseases and other health related concerns with feedback from the staff of The Doctor’s Doctor.

Other community pathology groups may wish to implement a similar approach; it is an excellent way to promote your diagnostic expertise as well as the practice of pathology.