First national in-service examination for pathology residents.

To fulfill an identified need in pathology residency program training, in 1983 the American Society of Clinical Pathologists introduced the first national in-service examination for pathology residents. This 175-item objective examination structured with seven subtest categories for various clinical rotations was administered to 1,200 residents-in-training representing 145 training programs, 40 states, and the District of Columbia. Individual norm-referenced results reports returned to each examinee, and program reports to each residency program director, indicated rank of individual examinee performance in each category and in all categories as well as with defined peer groups. Anonymity of individual results was optional to program directors. The data indicate that although performance improves with each subsequent year of residency training, the improvement is not so great as expected and that the level of performance of residents entering training was higher than anticipated. Postexamination evaluation indicated the need for this effort to continue.

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.

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.