If not, why not? Reasons why Canadian postgraduate trainees chose—or did not choose—to become pathologists

Residency choices by graduating medical students: why not pathology?

“…First, focus group studies, in contrast to surveys, generally have far fewer participants, and therefore, the risk of an unrepresentative sample is greater. However, many of the comments made by these participants about pathology stereotypes and general residency choices are similar to the findings of other studies [14][15][16], which endorse their validity. Furthermore, there is no reason to believe that these participants would be particularly biased against pathology or more uninformed about pathology than do their peers.…”

“…Previous authors [14,15] have recommended enhanced clerkship experiences in pathology, to raise pathology's profile and to improve recruitment. Our recent survey of pathology residents and nonpathology residents [16] suggested 3 specific approaches for the departments of pathology to improve recruitment: better promotion of pathology electives to preclerkship medical students, increased pathologist participation in nonpathology clerkship rounds, and more positive and enthusiastic preclinical pathology lectures.…”

“…In this respect pathology is unlike most medical careers: it is quite obvious to most medical students and, frankly, to most of the nonmedical population, what obstetricians and pediatricians and psychiatrists do. However, media stereotypes about forensic pathology [16] and pathology's invisibility in routine hospital practice combine to hide pathologists' true clinical roles. Many departments of pathology, including at the school attended by these students, make some effort to inform students about what pathologists do.…”

“…Two studies of junior medical students [14,15] highlighted several misconceptions about pathology, including a perceived lack of impact on clinical decision making. A recent survey of residents in nonpathology programs [16] found several reasons for their rejection of pathology, including a preference for direct patient care, as well as having had inadequate contact with pathology during medical school. These analyses of residents and junior medical students all recommend enhancing students' clerkship experiences in pathology as one major step to improve recruitment.…”

Enhancing preclinical year pathology exposure: the Angevine approach

“…National Resident Matching Program (NRMP) data indicates that only 1.2 % of U.S. seniors graduating in 2015 applied to pathology programs, and that only 1.7% of total U.S. seniors matching in 2015 did so in pathology [1]. Among reasons prior studies have cited for the difficulties in attracting prospective residents are the relative 'invisibility' of pathology, and that medical students lacking positive preclinical exposure to pathology are unlikely to later select pathology clerkships or residencies [2][3][4]. This trend has already resulted in critical pathology workforce shortages in countries such as Canada and Australia [5][6].…”