The Royal College of Pathologists of Australasia http://www.rcpa.edu.au/ is a medical organization that promotes the science and practice of pathology

Pathology

Pathology is the precise study and diagnosis of disease. The word pathology is from Ancient Greek , pathos, "feeling, suffering"; and , -logia, "the study of". Pathologization, to pathologize, refers to the process of defining a condition or behavior as pathological, e.g. pathological gambling....

. It has members in Australia, New Zealand, Hong Kong, Singapore, Malaysia and Saudi Arabia.

The object of the College is:

To promote the study of the science and practice of Pathology in relation to medicine; to encourage research in pathology and ancillary sciences, to bring together pathologists for their common benefit and for scientific discussions and demonstrations; and to disseminate knowledge of the principles and practice of pathology in relation to medicine by such means as may be thought fit.

History

The College of Pathologists of Australia was incorporated on 10 April, 1956. In 1970, the College was granted Royal assent, and became the Royal College of Pathologists of Australia. With the increasing number of Fellows in New Zealand, the College changed its name to the Royal College of Pathologists of Australasia in January 1980.
Since 1986, the College has occupied Durham Hall, a heritage listed building in Sydney's

Sydney

Sydney is the most populous city in Australia and the state capital of New South Wales. Sydney is located on Australia's south-east coast of the Tasman Sea. As of June 2010, the greater metropolitan area had an approximate population of 4.6 million people...

 Surry Hills.

Training and Examinations

The College conducts training and examinations in several sub-disciplines, including:

• Anatomical Pathology
  Anatomical pathology
  Anatomical pathology or Anatomic pathology is a medical specialty that is concerned with the diagnosis of disease based on the gross, microscopic, chemical, immunologic and molecular examination of organs, tissues, and whole bodies...
  
  
• Chemical Pathology
• Forensic Pathology
  Forensic pathology
  Forensic pathology is a branch of pathology concerned with determining the cause of death by examination of a corpse. The autopsy is performed by the pathologist at the request of a coroner or medical examiner usually during the investigation of criminal law cases and civil law cases in some...
  
  
• General Pathology
  General pathology
  General pathology, also called investigative pathology, experimental pathology or theoretical pathology, is a broad and complex scientific field which seeks to understand the mechanisms of injury to cells and tissues, as well as the body's means of responding to and repairing injury...
  
  
• Genetics
  Genetics
  Genetics , a discipline of biology, is the science of genes, heredity, and variation in living organisms....
  
  
• Haematology
• Immunopathology
  Immunopathology
  Immunopathology is a branch of medicine that deals with immune responses associated with disease. It includes the study of the pathology of an organism, organ system, or disease with respect to the immune system, immunity, and immune responses....
  
  
• Microbiology
  Microbiology
  Microbiology is the study of microorganisms, which are defined as any microscopic organism that comprises either a single cell , cell clusters or no cell at all . This includes eukaryotes, such as fungi and protists, and prokaryotes...
  
  

The College accredits laboratories for training, approves supervised training in accredicted laboratories, and conducts examinations leading to Fellowship of the College (FRCPA).

Continuing Professional Development

Since its inception, the College has contributed to the continual development of knowledge and skills of it Fellows, and has established a formal Continuing Professional Development Program.

Professional Practice Standards

The College collaborated with the Commonwealth Government to establish the National Pathology Accreditation Advisory Council (NPAAC) in 1979. NPAAC advises the Commonwealth, State and Territory Health Ministers on matters relating to the accreditation of pathology laboratories, plays a key role in ensuring the quality of Australian pathology services and is responsible for the development and maintenance of standards and guidelines for pathology practices.

While NPAAC provides the standards for laboratory practice, the actual accreditation process is carried out by NATA/RCPA, a joint initiative between the College and the National Association of Testing Authorities (NATA).

External links

• Official Site
• Haematology Trainees Website
• RCPA Chemical Pathology trainees forum by Dr. Ali Madan. http://chemicalpathology.myfreeforum.org