The CAP Archives of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine highlighted research that a strong demand for pathologists exists in the medical workforce. In the July 1, 2022, issue, an article authored by members of the CAP’s Policy Roundtable revealed a strong demand for pathologists within the medical workforce exists, with expectations of continued strength. This study updates that prior analysis using data from the 2021 Practice Leaders Survey.

The authors, who include David J. Gross, PhD (Director of the CAP’s Policy Roundtable); Stanley Robboy, MD, FCAP; Michael Cohen, MD, FCAP; Lori Vernon (CAP Staff); Jason Y. Park, MD, PhD; James M. Crawford, MD, PhD, FCAP; Donald S. Karcher, MD, FCAP; and Thomas M. Wheeler, MD, FCAP analyzed data from the 2021 CAP Practice Leader Survey. This paper summarizes results from 282 practice leaders about pathologist hiring in 2021, including the hiring of pathologists, the level of experience being sought, success in filling positions, and expectations for hiring in the next three years.

The research showed that among the 282 respondents who provided information about pathologist hiring in 2021,157 practices (55.7%) sought to hire at least 1 pathologist in 2021, up from 116 of 256 practices (45.3%) in 2017; the mean number of pathologists hired per practice also increased. In 2021, a total of 175 of 385 positions (45.5%) were to fill new positions, compared with 95 of 249 positions (38.2%) in 2017. Most practice leaders were comfortable hiring pathologists with less than 2 years of post-training experience. Practice leaders anticipated continued strong demand for hiring pathologists during the next 3 years.

The paper outlines that the demand in pathologist hiring is strong, and much increased from 2017. Combined with other job market indicators, the group concluded that demand may outstrip the supply of pathologists, which is limited by the number of trainees that has remained constant during the past 20 years.