Recruitment of pathology residents: APC questionnaire results, 1987 and 1988

Our data show a persistent decline of US graduates entering pathology. Moreover, our data indicated that the NRMP provides only a small percentage of the total pathology slots ultimately filled. If the intentions of the 1988 cohort remain consistent, the predictions of Anderson et al concerning a shortage of community-hospital and private-laboratory pathologists seem to be well-founded. This evidence, coupled with the long-acknowledged shortage of academic pathologists, makes improved recruitment an imperative. Recent reports have described several potentially important recruitment tools. However, substantial change in recruitment needs to take place if significant shortages are to be avoided.