Education of cytotechnologists in Croatia

Objective: To represent education and to show for how long education of cytotechnologists has existed in Croatia. Material and methods: Material is data from former education courses. The first course for cytotechnologists was organized by Prof. Inga Crepinko in 1968/69. During the period of 1968-1977, the education was performed in the form of six-month postgraduate course consisting of both theoretical and practical part with an exam at the end, 86 cytotechnologists were educated in this way. From 1981 to 1992 course was held as one-year program in the form of fifth grade education (at the end 78 cytotechnologists). Education program is cytological subjects and all field of cytology such as gynaecologica, pulmologica, haematologica, effusion cytology and others in the way of theoretical and practical work. Since 2000 there was three courses and 60 cytotechnologists were educated. Courses were organized by Ministry of Health and Social Welfare of the Republic of Croatia in collaboration with the Croatian Society of Clinical Cytology. Since then education courses were not held until this year and at this moment we have more than 40 new candidates. Results: In Croatia at this moment we have about 122 educated cytotechnologists. Conclusion: Croatia at this moment has good and quality trained cytotechnologists but new technologies ask for more knowledge and Croatia at this moment needs constant quality education of cytotechologists.