The Burden of Burnout in Pathology

Elizabeth McMahon
0:03

Slides, specimens, scans, stress. The daily load of a pathology career can take a toll.

Dr. Marisa Saint Martin
0:11

We do not control how many cases we get, how many slides we have to read, how many aphrasis cases I have per day. So we have no control.

Elizabeth McMahon
0:22

Today, tackling the burden of burnout. What's behind this widespread struggle in a fast-changing field? This is Path News Network Daily Edition from the College of American Pathologists. I'm Elizabeth McMahon with a special edition of the podcast. It's Thursday, August 20th. In 2017, Dr. Michael Cohen crossed the country to start a new position as Director of Anatomic Pathology at a major academic institution. But as soon as he arrived, the department chair left and Dr. Cohen was asked to take his place. He quickly realized his new job would be much more than he had bargained for.

Dr. Michael Cohen
1:07

It became evident that there were a litany of problems related to the way the department was functioning. So much so that a variety of different accrediting agencies, including the CAP, came to inspect the department.

Elizabeth McMahon
1:26

Dr. Cohen, a CAP fellow who is now professor emeritus at Wake Forest University and the University of Iowa, said the job quickly became all-consuming. He tried to balance his job as a pathologist, his work as a department chair, and the pressures of navigating the department's troubles, but he was overwhelmed.

Dr. Michael Cohen
1:55

And so at some point your resilience wears out and it leads to burnout.

Elizabeth McMahon
2:10

Just a few words that describe burnout. Driven by high workloads and emotional strain, burnout has increased significantly throughout healthcare, according to the CDC. Pathologists are not immune. 41% of practicing pathologists experience at least one symptom of burnout all the time, according to a 2022 CAP survey with nearly 400 respondents. 39% said these feelings made them consider quitting. A separate survey of pathologists found that those in the first year of residency and in the first three years of practice reported the highest rates of burnout. Dr. Marisa Saint Martin has co-led the CAP's wellness project team for five years with Dr. Cohen. She said pathologists experience unique strains.

Dr. Marisa Saint Martin
3:10

So we have no control. We depend on other professions on sending us these cases, and we are a service profession, so we had to comply and make sure that we are doing the best for those patients. Now, when that workload is too high, then the risk of medical errors, increased liability, and even work attrition because people start either calling in sick or not showing up for work or maybe even quitting or retiring early, that contributes even more to having additional workload and additional stresses that can lead to burnout.

Elizabeth McMahon
3:47

A pathologist shortage exacerbates the problem. The 2025 CAP Practice Leader Survey found that 39% of pathology practices would not be able to fill open positions. An aging U.S. population means that demand for pathologists is greater than supply, says Dr. Cohen. Meanwhile, as older pathologists retire, their younger counterparts must carry the load.

Dr. Michael Cohen
4:13

I think that puts tremendous stress, and I think that's coupled with these new technologies which have to be incorporated, and it's just more work for the pathologist.

Elizabeth McMahon
5:15

Dr. St. Martin says burnout prevention and support starts with a three-pronged approach that includes the institution, the individual, and importantly, the immediate work group.

Dr. Marisa Saint Martin
5:31

And if we don't have that connectivity with our colleagues, that also influences the way we feel about the job that we do.

Elizabeth McMahon
5:41

Next month, we'll explore solutions that pathologists and their institutions are embracing to help balance the load. That's all for today's special episode of the Daily Edition. Be sure to check the show notes for resources and information about wellness and burnout. Got a story you'd like us to cover on the Daily Edition? Write to us at stories at cap.org. We're back at 5 a.m. Eastern for another episode of the Daily Edition. I'm Elizabeth McMahon. Have a great day.