Egyptian Board Clinical Pathology study plan

Build a one-page reference sheet mapping each major chemical pathology analyte class (electrolytes, renal, hepatic, cardiac, lipid, endocrine, tumour markers) to its clinical decision points

Work through acid-base interpretation systematically: calculate anion gap, delta ratio and compensation for at least 15 mixed-disorder scenarios and write the step sequence you used

Explain the pre-analytical pitfalls for at least 10 common assays (haemolysis, fasting status, tourniquet time, drug interference) and how each shifts the result

Derive and practise the calculations used daily: corrected calcium, osmolal gap, LDL by Friedewald versus direct, eGFR equations and their limitations

Consolidate endocrine and metabolic biochemistry: thyroid panel interpretation in pregnancy and non-thyroidal illness, dynamic tests (dexamethasone suppression, glucose tolerance, short Synacthen) and their cut-offs

Interpret protein electrophoresis, immunofixation patterns and free light chain ratios for monoclonal gammopathy work-up

Master full blood count morphology: describe and classify anaemias by MCV/MCH with the confirmatory test you would order next for each pattern

Explain coagulation laboratory logic: PT/APTT mixing studies, factor assays, lupus anticoagulant interpretation and DOAC interference

Work through haemoglobinopathy interpretation: HPLC/electrophoresis patterns, sickle and thalassaemia traits, and how to report a co-existing iron deficiency

Explain the laboratory diagnosis of haemolysis (intravascular versus extravascular) using LDH, haptoglobin, bilirubin and reticulocyte response

Describe transfusion medicine decision pathways: ABO/Rh grouping discrepancies, antibody screen positive work-up, crossmatch incompatible causes and haemolytic transfusion reaction investigation

Outline bone marrow and flow cytometry reporting logic for leukaemia and lymphoma diagnosis, including what each immunophenotype marker adds

Organise bacteriology by specimen site (blood, CSF, urine, wound, respiratory) with the expected organisms, media, and key identification tests for each

Interpret antimicrobial susceptibility results: MIC versus disk diffusion, intrinsic resistance, ESBL/CRE/MRSA detection methods and how to report them

Explain serological diagnosis logic for the major infectious diseases: acute versus convalescent titres, IgM pitfalls, avidity testing, and window periods

Summarise mycobacteriology and mycology laboratory pathways including smear, culture, molecular and turnaround implications

Build a diagnostic algorithm for autoimmune disease serology: ANA patterns and their associations, anti-dsDNA versus ENA, ANCA by pattern, and coeliac and rheumatoid serology

Explain complement, immunoglobulin quantification and lymphocyte subset testing in immunodeficiency work-up, including when each is indicated

Describe allergy testing principles: specific IgE versus skin testing, total IgE limitations and cross-reactivity

Interpret transplant immunology basics: HLA typing, crossmatch, and antibody-mediated rejection monitoring

Differentiate benign from malignant histology and cytology across the common systems (breast, thyroid, lymph node, GI, skin) using architectural and cytological criteria

Explain the role and limits of special stains, immunohistochemistry panels and frozen section in diagnosis

Describe the standard molecular techniques: PCR and real-time PCR, Sanger sequencing, next-generation sequencing, FISH and karyotyping, and what each is best suited to detect

Interpret common genetic report scenarios: variant classification (pathogenic to benign), carrier screening, prenatal and pharmacogenomic results

Map the quality system requirements of ISO 15189 to daily laboratory practice: document control, competency records, equipment qualification and method validation

Design an internal quality control and external quality assessment review cycle, including how to investigate a failed QC or EQA result and document corrective action

Apply quality indicators, audit and root cause analysis to a simulated nonconformity

Explain accreditation assessment preparation: scope definition, traceability, uncertainty of measurement and management review inputs

Apply biological safety principles: risk groups, containment levels, spill and sharps management, waste segregation and post-exposure prophylaxis steps

Explain ethical and professional obligations: consent, confidentiality, result release, critical value communication and handling of incidental findings

Revisit the two heaviest domains with a timed mixed mock covering chemical pathology and haematology, then analyse every error by cause (knowledge gap, misread, calculation)

Consolidate weak areas identified across the plan into a final condensed revision sheet