PATHOLOGY

If you are interested in working as a pathologist in Denmark / Scandinavia, Medicolink finds it relevant for you to become acquainted withthe following information, prior to your recruitment process.

General info on the Danish healthcare system

Healthcare service in Denmark is almost exclusively covered publicly, financed by the five regions. The health services are organizedinto a primary healthcare sector (GPs and private practicing specialist doctors) and a secondary healthcare sector (hospitals and outpatientunits), i.e. the GPs function as gatekeepers for the hospitals and specialist doctors. There are a number of private clinics, but thehighest proportion of patients are treated in the public institutions.

Being a pathologist in Denmark

An average Danish workweek is 37 hours and the starting salary is for a specialty doctor is about 113 000 EUR yearly (including pension benefits). At the moment there is a definite need for more pathologists in Denmark.

Except for the forensic pathologists, Danish pathologists do not work in shifts as many other specialists do. Pathologists usually workwithin standard business hours and they do not have any scheduled weekend or holiday work. Besides the diagnostically work, the specialtyoffers a wide range of research and developmental work – especially because of the massive tissue database and the close cooperationwith clinical and other diagnostic specialties.

The job as a pathologist contains various responsibilities. The largest part of the job is diagnosing cancer. Pathologists also work withautoimmune, inflammatory and degenerative diseases. Forensic pathologists are the ones who perform crime scene investigations, inquests,and autopsies, which also means that they have a shifting schedule.

DASP (Danish Pathology Society)

DASP was founded in 1994 and the society’s aim is to promote the development and research of the human anatomical pathology and cytology. DASP also helps with training and arrange workshops for Danish pathologists. They also provide information on upcoming pathology events worldwide.