How to Be a Better Surgical Pathology Consultant

Objectives: Consultation on surgical pathology specimens is part of the daily professional practice of every pathologist. We evaluated the characteristics of a good consultant and the habits that should be avoided.

Methods: A 1-page questionnaire was prepared to evaluate how pathologists select their consultants.

Results: The questionnaire was emailed to 106 pathologists. Fifty-eight pathologists completed the questionnaire (55% response rate). The most important criteria for a consultant were knowledge and expertise. Accessibility, turnaround time, and teaching (providing explanation about the case) were selected next for choosing a consultant. The 2 factors that contributed to avoiding a consultant were expensive workup and changing the diagnosis. Open questions about "definition of best/worst consultant," "when to change the consultant," and "if the criteria for consultant have changed over time" provided additional valuable information.

Conclusions: Accessibility, short turnaround time, and teaching are the most important reasons for selecting a consultant. Performing an expensive workup and being in the habit of changing the diagnosis are the factors that make a consultant less favorable.