2004 Volume 43 Issue 6 Pages 429-433
The Japanese Society of Clinical Cytology (JSCC) certifies cytopathology instructors (including cytopathologists). Cytology has unquestionably become accepted as a very useful tool in medical practice, but cytology has not been adequately recognized as a speciality by the public. The purpose of this presentation is to describe the actual state of affairs regarding cytopathology in clinical practice including the active numbers of cytopathology instructors in Japan, the medical subspecialties of them, the changes in the number of examinees and the success rate of the cytopathologist board examination, eligibility for taking the examination, and problems concerning use of the examination. Advisable and more realistic use of the examination was also discussed. As of April 2003 there were 1840 cytology instructors and 5479 cytotechnologists in Japan, and the ratio of cytology instructors to cytotechnologists was roughly 1: 3. The distribution of cytopathology instructors according to age showed a regular distribution with a peak at 45-49 years. Female cytopathology instructors increased in their 30s to 40s. Nearly 90% of cytopathology instructors are qualified in pathology or gynecology as their medical subspeciality. The average success rate for the cytopathologist board examination was 80.4%. Cytopathology instructors certified by the JSCC are responsible for preparing and transmitting highly specialized and qualified medical information obtained by cytological examinations. For this reason, the JSCC should promptly establish a continuing education system and a more realistic examination for cytopathology instructors.
