title: Current status of US programs for training clinical laboratory scientists and anticipated impact of healthcare reform.
abstract: We surveyed directors of medical technology (MT) and postdoctoral clinical chemistry (CC) training programs and of clinical pathology (CP) and combined anatomic/clinical pathology (AP/CP) residency programs regarding the number, quality, training emphasis, and job-placement experience of trainees for 1985-95 as well as the directors' opinions on the impact of "healthcare reform." Responses were received from directors of 94 of 249 (38%) MT programs, 14 of 15 (93%) CC programs, and 63 of 138 (46%) pathology residency programs. In all four categories the numbers of trainees have increased steadily over the last 5 to 7 years but are expected to remain stable or decrease slightly. Directors of MT and CC programs expect increasing difficulty placing their graduates; directors of AP/CP and CP residency programs do not. Although > 60% of MT graduates have entered private hospitals, this is anticipated to decrease, with a concomitant increase in university hospital placements. Of the AP/CP residents, > 60% and < 5% accepted service- and research-oriented positions, respectively. In contrast, 83% of CP residents entered university hospitals, with half of these taking research-oriented positions. Among CC graduates, 41% joined university hospitals and 10-15% accepted positions in each of either private hospitals or industry or reference laboratories. The emphasis of training varies, with clinical service and pathophysiology the major focus in AP/CP programs. CP and CC programs take two distinct approaches--some accentuating management, and others emphasizing research. Finally, MT program directors appear the most optimistic regarding the opportunities that healthcare reform may present.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA.
authors.forename: M G
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: Scott
authors.forename: D B
authors.initials: DB
authors.lastname: Sacks
mesh_terms: D002624:Chemistry, Clinical / Q000193:education*; D018166:Health Care Reform; D007753:Laboratories / Q000458:organization & administration; D013677:Medical Laboratory Science / Q000193:education* / Q000639:trends; D010338:Pathology, Clinical / Q000193:education*; D010560:Personnel Selection; D012108:Research Personnel; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires