However, results from CAP's own research paint a positive picture of the market. In a survey conducted in 2018 that reflects data acquired in 2017, 2,709 practice leaders and managers were canvassed and 346 responded, including 253 who addressed questions about the job market in particular.
Approximately 45% said they were hiring pathologists, and, of these, half were hiring for more than one position. Respondents reported a total of 249 planned open positions and 60 that were being eliminated, for a net gain of 189.
"At least among these practices, the job market seems to be growing," said David Gross, PhD, an economist and director of CAP's Policy Roundtable.
Wait....2709 practice leaders were canvassed but only 346 RESPONDED? That’s a 13% response rate. CAP you guys can do better than that.
And out of the 346 respondents, only 45% said they were hiring pathologists. 189 net gain in jobs with a total of 600 pathologists entering the workforce every year? Isn’t that a surplus in pathologists or am I wrong? 189 net gain to the existing jobs from the previous year?
There have been reports of a lack of job opportunities, and these have been widely publicized on social media, but these reports are based on small, flawed, and misinterpreted datasets, he said. Nevertheless, he fears that the pessimistic outlook on jobs among residents has potential to damage the profession.
"Be careful what you say because you may be believed," he said. "I take that to heart myself."
Pathology work will still need to be done -- but there is a risk that in the future it may be done by people who are not skilled pathologists with unique qualifications, he warned. Black-Schaffer suggested that it is "scary" to think of how pathologists and the healthcare services that pathologists provide may be degraded if the workforce is not replenished.”
What do you mean by degraded? LOL.
You mean all the residency spots currently being filled by Weak candidates because of the low barrier to entry of this profession? The field is not competitive because of the oversupply of training programs. Cut the number of spots and protect our field if you don’t want it to get degraded.
“Not skilled pathologists with unique qualifications”-so trainees currently graduating from residency programs aren’t considered skilled enough for you? They are able to match into a pathology program and finish training but aren’t considered skilled? What you really mean are candidates, who probably wouldn’t have matched if the field was competitive to get into, are getting in and joining the workforce.
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