Manpower needs and supply in academic pathology.

Area of Science:

• Medical Education
• Pathology Workforce Analysis
• Academic Medicine

Background:

• Academic pathology departments are crucial for training future pathologists and conducting research.
• Understanding faculty supply and demand is essential for the specialty's growth and sustainability.
• Previous assessments of pathology manpower needs have been limited in scope or scope.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the current and projected faculty needs in academic pathology departments across the United States.
• To identify specific areas of greatest need within pathology subspecialties.
• To estimate the future supply of MD pathologists pursuing academic careers.

Main Methods:

• A nationwide survey was distributed to chairmen and faculty of all pathology and laboratory medicine departments in the US.
• Questionnaires collected data on current faculty vacancies and projected needs over five years.
• Data on pathology trainees intending academic careers were used to estimate future supply.

Main Results:

• A total of 131 out of 136 (96%) departments responded to the survey.
• Current faculty need is 272 funded vacant positions.
• Projected aggregate need over five years is 693 new and replacement positions, with greatest demand for research and surgical pathologists.

Conclusions:

• There is a substantial and growing faculty deficit in academic pathology departments.
• The projected supply of MD pathologists for academic careers is significantly lower than the anticipated demand.
• Urgent strategies are needed to address the pathology faculty shortage to ensure future training and research capacity.