The Critical Contribution of Pathology Technicians to Veterinary Diagnostics, Research and Teaching
Diana Araújo, Fátima Carvalho, Nuno Vale, Irina AmorimAnatomical pathology is a fundamental component of diagnostic medicine, relying on the combined expertise of physicians and technical scientific professionals to ensure accurate, reliable, and reproducible results. In veterinary medicine, the quality of pathological diagnosis directly influences clinical decision-making, treatment outcomes, and overall health management. Veterinary pathology, in particular, plays a crucial role in contemporary clinical practice. This review aims to highlight the essential role of pathology technicians within the veterinary medicine field. It explores their contributions across multiple domains, including biosafety, diagnostic workflows, quality control, research support, academic training and the challenges associated with veterinary pathology. In addition, emerging areas such as molecular pathology, digital pathology, and biobanking are discussed to illustrate the increasing scope of technical responsibilities.