How should cytopathology be taught?

Cytopathology is not excessively employed in the whole faculty of pathology in Germany, in contrast to some neighboring countries. Cytopathology also suffers from a lack of next generation cytologists, because experienced and interested specialists as well as assistants actively engaged in cytology (ZTA, cytological technical assistant and MTLA medical laboratory technical assistant) are only available in limited numbers. However, cytopathological expertise is urgently needed, not only in the diagnostics of gynecological cancer screening but also for assessment of many non-gynecological preparations, which have nowadays become more demanding and more complex particularly due to the technical developments in internal medicine. In addition, adjuvant methods have become incorporated into cytopathology, the interpretation of which must be carried out within this specialty. This article gives a review of the status quo of cytopathology in Germany and sketches how training and advanced education opportunities are organized and if necessary could be improved. The course of specialist medical training as well as the ZTA and MTLA training are described, also as a teaching concept (e.g. microscopy of current cases, microscopy of case collections and online microscopy). In order to provide cytopathology in Germany with a wider perspective, a paradigm shift in the internal approach to cytology is suggested so that the next generation can perceive this specialty not as a burden but as a chance.