National pathology manpower survey of 1991. Projected needs in community hospitals and private laboratory practice.

Abstract

The third survey of a representative group of pathologists in community practice confirms the prediction based on the 1987 and 1988 surveys that there would be a growing deficit in the number of pathologists in this practice setting. There is an increasing number of reported vacancies in pathology groups and a significant increment in the percentage of older pathologists, with 32% being older than 54 years of age in 1991, compared with 25% in 1987. Projections based on the plan of individual respondents to retire and the anticipated changes in practice groups suggest that there will continue to be more pathologists leaving practice than new pathologists entering the specialty.