The manpower situation in pathology: implications for the future.

With the exception of academic pathology and specific subspecialty areas, manpower in pathology is currently in a state of apparent equilibrium between supply and demand. Exogenous influences, and especially an influx of Americans who have attended foreign-chartered medical schools, could disturb this apparent equilibrium. Other key manpower issues with respect to pathology include mechanisms to determine optimal numbers of pathologists, the future productivity of pathologists, current and prospective needs in academic pathology and subspecialty areas, and the role of the federal government in the area of medical manpower. Recommendations to deal with these and related issues are presented.

Third report of the ASCP/CAP/APC joint task force on pathology manpower.

This report concerns the results of pathology manpower surveys encompassing responses from four groups of pathologists: (1) solo and group practitioners; (2) training program directors; (3) house staff; (4) diplomates seeking positions. The rate of response by all four groups is judged highly satisfactory. The results show an approximate balance between supply and demand with respect to manpower in pathology. Comparison with the results of two similar surveys conducted by the Joint Task Force shows the following trends: (1) a continued marked reduction of foreign medical graduate (FMG) trainees; (2) continued increase in the proportion of women entering pathology; (3) an increase in the size of the average practice and a corresponding decrease in the proportion of pathologists in solo practice; (4) a decreased tendency of practicing pathologists to relocate; (5) an increase in pathologists lost to the profession because of death, disability and retirement; (6) a slight decrease (approximately 50) in the number of funded full-time positions and a slight increase in the number of part-time vacancies.

Manpower supply and demand in pathology.

Recently physicians, the federal government, and medical specialty societies have shown increasing interest in manpower needs in medicine and in the medical specialties. Since 1976 the Joint Task Force on Pathology Manpower of the American Society of Clinical Pathologists, the College of American Pathologists, and the Association of Pathology Chairmen has completed and published three reports on pathology manpower supply and demand. The results of these studies agree with a recently completed study by a federally mandated commission. These studies show pathology manpower in the early 1980s is in good balance between supply and demand. They also indicate this equilibrium will continue until 1990 unless unanticipated changes in supply and demand take place.