Problems facing pathology in the future?

[UnicornDemon]

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I'm a current undergraduate interested in pursuing the medical profession. One of the specialties I'm most interested in is pathology. However, I see a few doom and gloom posts on these boards regarding job security, Obamacare, etc.

What problems are facing pathologists in the future? What causes the lack of job security? Is it just an oversupply of residents?

P.S. I know I could probably find these answers using the search function, but I decided to create my own thread to get the most recent and relevant perspectives possible.

 

[MOHS_01]

Hey, while everyone's at it -- can anyone tell me what the winning Powerball numbers will be?

 

[Autopsy Sweet]

There are a lot of doom and gloomers on this forum. I think it's all in your perspective. I don't view the field of pathology that way, personally. Throughout my training, I didn't know of a single graduate either from my residency or from a fellowship at my program who wasn't able to find a job (note: I didn't say "dream job"). That's a lot of people who managed to find apparently nonexistent jobs. I chose this field because I love it, and I wouldn't change my choice despite Obamacare, job outlook, whatever. My advice to you would be to minimize debt as much as possible through your training years so that you can find and do what you love without having to worry as much about how to pay bills (that stands true whether you choose pathology or not). Then, be flexible when it comes to the job search. If you can't change your geography, then you're going to have to compromise somewhere else (e.g. salary, scope of work, etc). If you're flexible with your geography, you may be able to score big in other areas.

 

[mlw03]

:troll:

 

[Silent Cool]

:troll:

Unicorn isn't a troll--he is legit. interested in a variety of fields. He's posted similar questions on other threads re: the future of fields, would you do it again, etc...

 

[KLPM]

Hey, while everyone's at it -- can anyone tell me what the winning Powerball numbers will be?

 

[mlw03]

Ok, in that case I do offer my apologies.

I'll answer for forensic pathology. The problem we're facing is a shortage of qualified people entering the field, on both sides of the border. The other big problem in FP is the reliance of government funds and the fact that most people don't know what we do, so when budgets are tight, the coroner or ME's office is a relatively easy place to slash budget without ticking off too many people.

 

[WEBB PINKERTON]

A list of 10 Problems in no order:

1) Consolidation within the industry getting worse
2) Client billing still legal in many states and narrow laws in states outlawing it
3) In-office labs although I am not sure the alternative to them is much better (client billing and less specimens)
4) Reimbursement Cuts
5) Technology reducing number of biopsies taken (just a matter of time)
6) Too many residency programs leading to oversupply
7) Old timers that work well into their 80s and die at their scopes
8) Managed care contracts (getting harder to get specimens from payers, see BC/BS Blue Card)
9) New guidelines that call for a lot less screening (been way too much waste/overtreatment)
10) Lack of patient contact (huge problem)

 

[UnicornDemon]

Unicorn isn't a troll--he is legit. interested in a variety of fields. He's posted similar questions on other threads re: the future of fields, would you do it again, etc...

Thanks for having my back 🙂

10) Lack of patient contact (huge problem)

Sounds like a dream come true...

 

[mlw03]

Thanks for having my back 🙂



Sounds like a dream come true...

Perhaps, but out of sight, out of mind. Talk to non-medical people and tell them you're thinking about pathology. Bet the vast majority say something like, "oh, you mean autopsies." If people (read: the people in charge who determine reimbursements) barely know what pathologists do, it's tough to convince them to pay for diagnostic pathology services. That's why the good ones on here constantly talk about the importance of building strong relationships with their clinical colleagues at hospitals and in their communities.

 

[deleted314957]

Perhaps, but out of sight, out of mind. Talk to non-medical people and tell them you're thinking about pathology. Bet the vast majority say something like, "oh, you mean autopsies." If people (read: the people in charge who determine reimbursements) barely know what pathologists do, it's tough to convince them to pay for diagnostic pathology services. That's why the good ones on here constantly talk about the importance of building strong relationships with their clinical colleagues at hospitals and in their communities.

As usual, well said.