Goudge: Proper Training In Forensic Pathology Key To Avoiding Future Tragedy - Royal College Sets Standards To Address The Need, Canada

Main Category: Medical Students / Training
Also Included In: Public Health
Article Date: 06 Oct 2008 - 9:00 PDT

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The Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada commends The Honourable Stephen Goudge and the Commission of the Inquiry into Pediatric Forensic Pathology in Ontario for a comprehensive and thoughtful report. Among its many recommendations is the identified need for high standards in the medical education of forensic pathologists. The Royal College has taken great strides in setting the standards of training in forensic pathology and fully supports the Commission's call for better funding to develop the discipline.

"The Royal College has finished laying the ground work to ensure that training in forensic pathology can be offered and certified as a recognized specialization in laboratory medicine in Canada," stated Dr. Andrew Padmos, FRCPC, CEO of the Royal College. "Pathologists from across the country came to us because they recognized the need for specialized training in forensics. With them and other experts, we have established forensic pathology as a subspecialty and determined the specific requirements, objectives of training, competencies and standards of the discipline."

Forensic pathology is a subspecialty of anatomical or general pathology. Of the 17 medical schools in Canada, 15 currently offer training in anatomical pathology and 11 offer a general pathology program. As of September 2008, the University of Toronto was the only medical school in the country to submit an application for a residency program in forensic pathology, with others expected to follow. If all the requirements are met, they should be training forensic pathologists in 2009.

According to Dr. William Fitzgerald, FRCSC, President of the Royal College, "Before the medical schools can offer the forensic pathology programs, they must first secure the necessary funding. We commend the Goudge Commission for acknowledging the critical need for adequate and sustainable funding to grow the profession. However, the need to do so extends beyond Ontario's borders."

The Goudge Commission addressed the incidents relating to pediatric forensic pathology in Ontario. There have been a number of pathology related incidents across the country whose inquiries are still underway. Early indications however may point to inadequate financial and human resources for pathology generally as among the underlying causes. As such, funding is one of the issues that must be resolved in order to better support the development of the emerging field of forensic pathology not only in Ontario but across Canada.

Forensic pathology subspecialization requires an additional year of residency beyond the five years necessary to become either a general or anatomical pathologist. The training requirements established by the Royal College include 11 months in death investigation and training, as well as experience in post-mortem investigations. An additional month is dedicated to training in areas that include toxicology, trace evidence, firearm and toolmark examination as well as photo analysis and others including specific research to further develop the field.

The Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada is the national, not-for-profit organization that oversees the medical education of specialists in 61 specialties and subspecialties in Canada by setting high standards for postgraduate medical education and continuing professional development. In collaboration with health organizations and government agencies, the Royal College also plays a role in developing sound health policy in Canada. Over 80 years have gone into developing the approach that assures Canadians that Royal College certified physicians have achieved some the highest standards of medical education in the world.

The Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada