Continued Positive Job Search Experience for New Pathologists Seeking First Employment During the COVID-19 Pandemic...

Area of Science:

• Medical Education
• Pathology Workforce Trends
• Public Health

Background:

• Accurate employment trend data is crucial for new pathologists, especially with an aging workforce.
• The COVID-19 pandemic's impact on the pathology job market for trainees was previously unclear.

Purpose of the Study:

• To update employment trends for pathology graduates during the COVID-19 pandemic.
• To analyze the job search experience of recent pathology trainees from 2020-2022.

Main Methods:

• Analysis of annual job search survey data from the College of American Pathologists (CAP) Graduate Medical Education Committee (GMEC).
• Survey targeted CAP junior members and fellows in practice for 3 years or less seeking non-fellowship positions.
• Comparison of 2020-2022 data with previous periods (2017-2019 and 2012-2016).

Main Results:

• Continued positive job market trends observed from 2020-2022.
• Increased ease in finding positions and greater availability in chosen subspecialties.
• Higher job satisfaction and notably increased starting salaries for new pathologists.

Conclusions:

• Pathology job market trends for new graduates remained favorable during the COVID-19 pandemic.
• Key indicators such as job availability, satisfaction, and salary surpassed previous periods.
• The findings provide a positive outlook for the pathology workforce despite pandemic-related challenges.