Some studies have shown that there is a serious communication gap between clinicians and pathologists.1 “Clinicians are from Mars and pathologists are from Venus” has been the impression of some authors.2 Others have aptly described the clinician–pathologist relationship as “peculiar yet the two are not dissociable”.3 We view the relationship as similar to that of two separated, doting parents sharing a noble goal of raising their children. While both sides have good intentions, misunderstandings and assumptions that can adversely affect their progeny may occur. To achieve excellent patient outcomes it is imperative that clinicians and pathologists understand each other and learn to work harmoniously.
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- 3. Tranbaloc P. [The clinician and the pathologist: a peculiar, yet not dissociable couple] [French]. Gynecol Obstet Fertil 2005; 33: 961-963.
- 4. Matsuda Y, Fujii T, Suzuki T, et al. Comparison of fixation methods for preservation of morphology, RNAs, and proteins from paraffin-embedded human cancer cell-implanted mouse models. J Histochem Cytochem 2011; 59: 68-75.
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On his behalf, we acknowledge the efforts of Dr Grey’s long-suffering wife, nursing and secretarial staff in keeping him on the straight and narrow.
Admire Matsika is male, married to a clinician. Bhuvana Srinivasan is not at all conflicted but has agreed to seek help for her quirky sense of humour.