Described as a medical speciality that concerns the detection and diagnosis of diseases based on laboratory analyses, clinical pathology involves the analysis of bodily fluids such blood, urine and other fluids employing tools of chemistry, microbiology, haematology, and molecular pathology. It mainly concerns with the primary activities carried out in medical diagnostic laboratories, including routine tests such as those for blood sugar, cholesterol, creatinine levels, etc. among others. Clinical Pathology employs many tools for analysis, and these include microscopic examination, macroscopic examination, physical analysers and cultures. More often than not, the diagnosis itself is made based on various range scales that describe what the normal or expected values for the metric in a healthy human body of a given gender and age are. With advancements in technology in recent years, a lot many of the processes that fall under clinical pathology have become partially or even wholly automated. However, this has means that clinical pathology professionals are in more demand than ever, as their expertise is needed in achieving the best results from automated techniques, and even requiring manual intervention at some level.

Also going by the abbreviation DCP, Diploma in Clinical Pathology is an undergraduate degree. It majorly aims at teaching students regarding the methods and techniques associated with clinical pathological practices. The course provides exposure to handling and processing histopathology, clinical pathology, microbiology, biochemistry and transfusion medicine samples with a knowledge of general principles and methodology. CDP holders will be assisting medical professionals in a wide variety of healthcare facilities and institutions where it is performed as the primary or subsidiary task. This may include anything from a dedicated diagnostics laboratory to a super speciality hospital. The major subjects of study as part of the course include clinical research guideline and regulations, clinical test planning and design, clinical trial compliance, compliance and quality assurance, pharmacovigilance, data analysis and management in clinical research, clinical research management and basic safety techniques. The immaculately designed DCP programme curriculum is usually taught by qualified & experienced members of the institutes’ faculty, with adequate theoretical knowledge that enables planning of lab investigations rationally in any clinical setup. Students are also given training in carrying out and interpretation of results of the tests. Some institutes also provide students with a chance to work near practising professionals in facilities where clinical pathology techniques are carried out.

Diploma in Clinical Pathology is a 2-year long course, with exams on a semester-to-semester basis. Professionals who hold the diploma can find work in government or private hospitals, medical colleges or universities, and clinics. They are also employed by diagnostic laboratories, not to mention some niche professions like medical writing for journals and publications. Admission to the DCP programme is usually given out based on the past academic record of the applicants. The application process can be carried out by visiting the respective institutes’ websites. Post completion of the course, candidates may undertake courses such as but not limited to a 3-year BSc. in pathology, a PGD among other postgraduate programs, as well as an array of competitive exams.