Recruitment of pathology trainees. Recent trends from the 1989 Association of Pathology Chairmen's Survey of first-year pathology residents.
The evolving pathology manpower shortage requires that we examine recruitment issues closely. We present data from the 1989 Association of Pathology Chairmen residents' questionnaire and analyze the most important recruitment patterns. Of 685 first-year pathology residents in 1989, 451 (66%) responded to the survey. When compared with other specialties, 1989 pathology residents are older (mean age, 30.1 years), more frequently women (38%), more often foreign medical graduates (23%), and more commonly have MD/PhD degrees (7.8%). Among pathology residents, the fifth year of required training is the most important negative factor in choosing pathology. Over 50% of 1989 first-year pathology residents changed their mind about another specialty to enter pathology; 37% chose pathology only after graduating from medical school. In 1988 and 1989, 63% of first-year pathology residents responding to the Association of Pathology Chairmen residents' questionnaire indicated that role models were an important factor in their specialty choice. The most typical role model was a male pathologist, approximately 47 to 48 years old. Role model influence tended to be greater for those residents who decided to enter pathology earlier in medical school. Nevertheless, over 50% of those residents who decided to enter pathology after medical school claimed that role model influence was important in their choice. Role models remain a valuable resource for improved recruitment into pathology.
Vance
R P
RP
Department of Pathology, Wake Forest University, Bowman Gray School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC 27103.
Prichard
R W
RW
Smith
R D
RD
D000328:Adult; D002321:Career Choice; D003710:Demography; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007396:Internship and Residency / Q000639:trends; D008297:Male; D010336:Pathology / Q000193:education; D010560:Personnel Selection; D014481:United States; D000078329:Workforce