At the forefront of the work the Royal College of Pathologists undertakes is a commitment to high-quality pathology education and training. We are in a unique position of being a college with a wealth of specialties under our umbrella; however, underpinning all of these is a steadfast appreciation of good educational practice. This is especially important in a time when there is an overwhelming amount of work across all specialties, putting pressure on trainers as well as trainees. This only serves to underline the importance of high-quality training and education – without it, how could we train the consultants of the future to meet this demand? The balance is challenging but so very important in the current climate.

This issue of the Bulletin explores principles and practical tips for good educational practice across a variety of fields and in a variety of activities. Postgraduate pathological education is challenging but can be very rewarding for trainees, clinical scientist trainees and trainers. Financial pressures, workload pressures and navigating ways to support trainees from all backgrounds to excel are just some of the challenges discussed in this edition. It is hoped that these articles will provide a springboard for discussions locally and highlight areas of success from across the UK in a variety of areas such as trainee support and College developments in educational policy and practice.

This issue also introduces me as the new Trainee Section Editor. This will be the start of a trainee-focused, trainee-led section of the Bulletin in which prominent and important issues can be considered and success can be highlighted.

Good training and education is an interplay of the needs of trainees and trainers against the pressures of delivering exceptional clinical care. It can be easy to lose sight of the joy and excitement of training amid the pressures of the service, especially when you may be staying late to complete tasks when there is not enough time during the day. These are not simple issues to address. However, I hope that the success, the novel ideas and enthusiasm shown in this issue help keep the passion for good training and education alight. By working together, by learning from each other and, importantly, by supporting each other, we can achieve excellent education for all doctors and clinical scientists. The future is challenging but, without a doubt, it is bright!

April 2025 Bulletin

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