Pathologist vs. Epidemiologist: What Are the Differences?

Pathologists and epidemiologists are both medical professionals who work to improve public health. Though their work is similar, there are several key differences between these two roles. In this article, we discuss the similarities and differences between pathologists and epidemiologists, and we provide information on what you may need to pursue each career.

What is a Pathologist?

Pathologists are medical doctors who specialize in diagnosing diseases by studying cells and tissues under a microscope. They often work in hospitals or clinics, but may also work in private laboratories or research facilities. Pathologists may specialize in a particular area of medicine, such as immunology, hematology or histology. In addition to diagnosing diseases, pathologists may also conduct research to develop new diagnostic methods or treatments. To do this, they often collaborate with other scientists and medical professionals.

What is an Epidemiologist?

Epidemiologists are public health professionals who track the spread of diseases and other health conditions. They collect data on the frequency, location and severity of health conditions and then analyze this information to identify patterns. This allows them to develop theories about how these conditions spread and develop strategies to prevent or control their spread. Epidemiologists typically work in government agencies, hospitals or research laboratories. They may also work in private companies, such as pharmaceutical companies, to develop new drugs or medical devices.

Pathologist vs. Epidemiologist

Here are the main differences between a pathologist and an epidemiologist.

Job Duties

One of the biggest differences between these two medical professionals is the type of job they perform. Pathologists work in laboratories to diagnose diseases, while epidemiologists investigate disease outbreaks and track patterns in illness to help identify causes and solutions. This means that an epidemiologist may spend most of their time outside of traditional doctor’s offices, like hospitals or health departments. They might visit locations where a disease has been reported, interview patients and study records to determine what factors have led to a particular outbreak.

In contrast, pathologists typically work within labs alongside other medical professionals who support them in analyzing samples. These professionals use advanced technology to analyze body fluids and tissues to make accurate diagnoses for patients. Both professions involve working with patients and recording important information about their cases, but only a pathologist performs diagnostic testing on samples directly.

Job Requirements

Pathologists and epidemiologists typically need a bachelor’s degree in biology, chemistry or another related scientific field. They also must complete medical school and earn a Medical Doctor (MD) or Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO) degree. After medical school, pathologists and epidemiologists must complete a residency program, which usually lasts four years. Some pathologists and epidemiologists also pursue fellowships to gain additional training in a specific area. For example, a pathologist might pursue a fellowship in forensic pathology, while an epidemiologist might pursue a fellowship in infectious diseases.

Work Environment

Both pathologists and epidemiologists work in hospitals, clinics or other healthcare facilities. They may also work for government agencies that monitor disease outbreaks. Pathologists typically work more closely with patients than epidemiologists do. This means they spend more time performing autopsies and analyzing test results.

Epidemiologists often work in offices where they analyze data and create reports about the spread of diseases. They may travel to different locations to study a particular disease outbreak.

Skills

Both pathologists and epidemiologists need to have excellent research skills. This includes being able to understand and analyze data, as well as identify trends. They also both need to be able to communicate their findings clearly, whether that is in writing or verbally.

Pathologists tend to use more medical skills in their work, as they are often diagnosing diseases by examining tissues and bodily fluids. In contrast, epidemiologists typically focus on identifying the cause of a disease and how it is spread. They may use skills like biostatistics to help them track and analyze data related to outbreaks.

Salary

The average salary for a pathologist is $209,627 per year, while the average salary for an epidemiologist is $87,048 per year. The average salary for both positions may vary depending on the location of the job, the level of experience and the type of employer.