ascp fellowship & job market surveys - pathology · pdf fileascp fellowship & job...

STRONGERTOGETHER Karen Frank, MD, PhD, FASCP Jay Wagner, MBA, MLS(ASCP)CM

RISE, FISE, FISHE, NPISE,

PISE and TMISE Surveys

ascp.org

ASCP Fellowship & Job Market Surveys

A REPORT ON THE 2014

ascp.org/residents

2014 Job Market Surveys draft_4_MT.indd 1 7/1/14 8:55 AM

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Introduction

Applying for Pathology Fellowships

Preparation for Residency and for Independent Work

Applying for Pathology Jobs Immediately After Residency

Residents’ Perceptions on Training and Health Care

Applying for Pathology Jobs After Fellowship

Additional Subspecialty Fellowships

Fellows Surveyed About Anticipated Job Responsibilities

ASCP Resident Council

Acknowledgements

ASCP Fellowship & Job Market Surveys: A Report on the 2014 RISE, FISE, FISHE, NPISE, PISE, and TMISE Surveys:

By Karen Frank, MD, PhD, FASCP, and Jay Wagner, MBA, MLS(ASCP)CM

ASCP responds to the interests and needs of residents, fellows, and program directors by directing an annual survey on fellowships and the job market for pathologists in training, including both residents and fellows.

The surveys are conducted as part of the Resident In-Service Examination (RISE) and the Fellow Forensic In-Service Examination (FISE), the Fellow In-Service Hematopathology Examination (FISHE), Fellow Neuropathology In-Service Examination (NPISE), Fellow Pediatric Pathology In-Service Examination (PISE), and the Fellow Transfusion Medicine In-Service Exam (TMISE). These data are

compiled by ASCP to provide information useful to all pathology trainees, residency and fellowship program directors, and prospective employers.

A total of 2490 residents participated in the Spring 2014 RISE in the following training levels: 661 PGY-1, 642 PGY-2, 640 PGY-3, and 547 PGY-4.

Of the participating residents, 85 percent are in AP/CP training, while 12 percent and 3 percent are in AP only and CP only tracks respectively. For PGY 1-4 trainees, 60 percent have U.S. medical degrees.

A total of 275 fellows participated in the five Spring 2014 Fellowship In-Service Examinations.

CONTENTS

INTRODUCTION

0

175

350

525

700

2014 RISE Participants

PGY-1 PGY-2 PGY-3 PGY-4

ascp.org/residents | 3

APPLYING FOR PATHOLOGY FELLOWSHIPSAs part of the 2014 RISE, 1187 PGY-3/4 residents were surveyed about their experience in the fellowship process and residents’ attitudes toward fellowship training. From the 2014 survey, the fellowships that PGY-3/4 residents have already applied for or intend to apply for are listed in order of preference:

• Surgical Pathology

• Hematopathology

• Cytopathology

• Gastrointestinal/Hepatic Pathology

• Dermatopathology

• Molecular Pathology

• Forensic Pathology

• Molecular Genetic Pathology

• Blood Banking/Transfusion Medicine

Indicate your residency training track.

Did you receive your medical degree in the United States?

85% AP/CP

3% CP Only

12% AP Only

60% YES

40% NO

• Breast Pathology

• Gynecologic Pathology

• Genitourinary Pathology

• Pediatric Pathology

• Soft Tissue Pathology

• Renal

• Neuropathology

• Informatics


Principal Reason for Pursuinga Fellowship (All residents)

Residents cited three factors equally in affecting

their decision to pursue a fellowship: enhancement

of their pathology skills, fulfilling a requirement for a

desired position, and enhancing the ability to secure

employment. Somewhat less frequently, residents

cited that the desired job opening was not available

at the time of residency ending.

Number of Fellowships Intended to Complete (All residents)

The majority of residents (56%) plan to complete one

fellowship, and 39% of residents reporting interest in

doing two fellowships. A minority of residents (4%) do

not plan to complete a fellowship, while only 1% plan

three or more fellowships.

Current Interest in Applying for a Fellowship (PGY-3/4 residents only)

56% 1

39%2

1%3 or more 4%

0

6%I have applied for a fellowship this year

85% I have accepted a fellowship this year

5% I intend to apply for a fellowship this year

4% I do not intend to apply for a fellowship this year

Fellowship is necessary for a desired position

Desired job not immediately available after residency

Enhance pathology skills by additional training

In general, fellowship training enhances my ability to secure

employment

0 1.25 2.50 3.75 5.00


For what reason(s) are you interested in completing multiple fellowships?

To how many fellowship programs did you formally apply? (PGY-3/4 residents only)

The majority of residents apply for at least

four fellowship positions.

17%>10

41% 1-3

17% 7-10

20% 4-6

5% 0

Number of Fellowship Interviews Received (PGY-3/4 residents only)

Only a small number of residents interview

for more than four to six fellowship positions.

6%7-10

6%0

60% 1-3

26% 4-6

2% >10

Family/location/timing of training

Desired job not available after the completion of 1st fellowship

Need to improve “weak” areas of residency training to feel comfortable to practice

Believe that multiple areas of subspecialty are needed to compete in the job market

Career goals include advanced specialization in more than one field

0 1.25 2.5 3.75 5


Number of Fellowship Offers Received (PGY-3/4 residents only)

The reported results for fellowship offers in 2014 were

remarkably similar to previous years. Slightly more than half

of residents received a single fellowship offer; only 7 percent

did not receive any offers, a slight overestimate since a small

percent did not apply to fellowships. Almost 40 percent of

residents had positive responses from two or more fellowship

programs, suggesting that there is competition among

fellowship programs for strong applicants.

In what PGY-year did you finalize your choice of fellowship? (All residents)

5%46%

Before residency began

5%1

59% 3

24% 2

1% >4

8%3

7%0

55% 1

25% 2

5% >3


97% NO

3% YES

Conclusions

Fellowship training in pathology is planned by 96 percent of residents. About 40 percent choose to pursue two

or more fellowships to obtain specialized training in multiple areas, in order to meet their career goals and to compete

in the job market.

• As in previous years, decisions on fellowship specialties were mostly made during the PGY-2

and PGY-3 training years.

• The majority of PGY-3/4 residents received only a single fellowship offer; about 40 percent received multiple

offers. Less than 7 percent had not yet received a fellowship offer, suggesting that only a small number

of residents are not finding fellowship opportunities.

• Surgical pathology remains the top fellowship choice; cytopathology and hematopathology continue to trade for

the No. 2 fellowship spot, while GI/hepatic pathology and dermatopathology round out the top five fellowship

specialties. Molecular pathology has jumped five slots since 2013 into position No. 6.

Did you accept more than one offer? (PGY-3/4 residents only)

A minority of residents accept and then subsequently

decline a fellowship offer.

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The ASCP Resident Council responded to requests from residents interested in learning about national trends regarding medical

education prior to residency and differences in sign-out procedure.

50% More preview time

49% No change

1% Less preview time

PREPARATION FOR RESIDENCY AND FOR INDEPENDENT WORK

Do you believe that your sign-out experience would benefit from: (All residents)

As in most years, about half of residents would like

more preview time.

How well did your medical school training prepare you for your pathology residency? (All residents)

Medical school preparation for pathology residency

training is problematic with 42 percent of residents

citing no exposure to pathology and/or no first-hand

pathology experience during medical school. Less than

one-quarter of residents felt that their medical school

education prepared them for pathology residency

training.

22%Had adequate experience and education and felt prepared for residency

36% Had some first hand experience and training, but still did not feel prepared for residency

32% Exposed to pathology through labs and lectures, but had no first-hand experience

10% Not exposed to pathology as a career and/or did not know what pathology training entailed


Do you anticipate feeling ready to sign-outgeneral pathology cases upon graduation from residency? (All residents)

Almost 70% of residents are ready to sign-out

knowing that colleagues are available for back-up,

but a third are not ready or need a transition period.

17%Yes

50% Yes, but with available back-up if needed

22% Yes, but with a transitional period where all cases are reviewed

11% No

What type of sign-out experience does your program have? (All residents)

About half of the programs have morning

or day-of preview time, and about half have

overnight preview time.

5%Other

47% Morning or day-of preview time, sign-out with attending

47% Overnight preview time, sign-out with attending

1% No preview time, sign-out with attending

Why don’t you anticipate feeling ready to sign-out cases upon graduation from residency? (PGY-1/2 and PGY-3/4)

Need fellowship training to feel confident in general pathology

Not prepared – educational deficiency

Not enough graduated responsibility in training program

Did not see enough volume of cases in residency

Did not see enough variety of cases in residencyPGY 1-2 PGY 3-4

0

15%

30%

45%

60%


Graduated sign-out experience(All residents)

PGY-1/2 trainees were more concerned about educational deficiencies (29 percent) than PGY-3/4 (18%). In addition, a lack of graduated

responsibility emerged as a significant reason for deficiency, with the percent more than doubling from PGY-1/2 to PGY-3/4. As an example, 87

percent of residents do not sign-out frozen sections on their own.

Nearly 100 percent of the residents who experience graduated sign-out feel that they benefit from completely working up the case on their

own, independently writing the report, and then having the attending do a final review. However, one-fifth of residents at every level of training

consistently note that there is no form of graduated sign-out during their residency; 79 percent of such residents would like graduated sign-out

to be instituted.

Conclusions • Pathology residents overwhelmingly felt that their medical school education had not adequately prepared them for

their pathology residency.

• Nearly all residents have overnight or morning/day-of preview time, and about half would benefit from more

preview time while the other half feel that they have an appropriate amount of preview time.

• Other than completing their planned fellewships, help for residents in identifying their knowledge gaps, and

embracing graduated responsibility are readily available changes that pathology programs could use to enhance

resident confidence in their general pathology skills.

0 25% 50% 75% 100%

A percentage of residents at every training

level felt that they would not be independent

at graduation, but the reasons for this

changed somewhat with time-in-training.

Most residents think that a fellowship is

needed for confidence in signing out cases

independently.

Is there any form of graduated sign-out at your institution (do your senior residents completely work

up and write out reports on your own with only a final glance over from the attending)?

Do you want graduated sign-out to be instituted?

Do you benefit from graduated sign-out?

Do you sign-out frozen sections on your own at any point in your residency (Resident makes initial call to surgeon

before pathology attending reviews?)?

YES N0 UNSURE


APPLYING FOR PATHOLOGY JOBS IMMEDIATELY AFTER RESIDENCY

Although relatively few pathology residents opt to go directly from training into the job market, both the ASCP Resident Council

and the RISE Committee deem it critical to survey residents in this situation and report relevant information for future trainees.

In 2014, only 48 PGY-3 and PGY-4 residents were

considering entering the job market, with 60% receiving

one or more job offers.

Number of Jobs Formally Applied For

Number Of Job Offers Per Resident

Of the 48 residents who considered job opportunities, 40%

did not receive job offers, and most only had a single offer.

14%2

6%3

40% 040%

1


Helpful Employment Resources

Residents learned of jobs through a variety

of venues, but hearing of jobs from faculty

and by word-of-mouth is always the most

important resource for the job search.

The next-most important resource was

contacting potential employers directly.

A variety of online resoureces were used to

a lesser extent.

ASCP Facebook Career Center

monster.com

careerweb.com

AJCP advertisement

NEJM advertisement

Archives of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine advertisement

mdconsult.com

ASCP Job Finder

Executive Recruiter

CAP job listings

“Job Board” posts at pathology conferences

pathologyoutlines.com

Targeted inquiries (i.e. calling/writing to potential employers)

Faculty/word of mouth

2.1

2.3

2.3

2.4

2.4

2.4

2.4

2.5

2.6

2.7

2.8

2.9

3.6

3.9

Salary Range for Residents Who Accepted a Job Offer Directly After Residency Training

10%$150,000 - $200,000/year

14%<$100,000/year

3%$200,000 - $250,000/year

28% >$250,000/year

17% A starting salary was not discussed

28% $100,000 - <$150,000/year

Scale for related chart: 5=extremely important, 4=somewhat important,

3=minor importance, 2=not important, and 1=not a consideration).

Conclusions • The number of PGY-3/4 residents who formally considered job openings in 2014 is small at only 48,

from 139 in 2012. In the 2014 survey, 60 percent received a job offer.


Residents who chose to take a job immediately after residency were asked to rank factors in their job choice The working environment remained

at the top of the list, while family and geographic considerations, and long-term job security were close behind as next-most important.

Factors in Job Choices

Your perception of staff and institution at interview

Family factors (e.g. spouse’s job, children’s school)

Long-term job security

Job availability in a specific geographic region

Salary considerations

Opportunities for career advancement

Fiscal pressures (loan repayments, etc.)

Opportunity to practice a subspecialty interest

Teaching opportunities

Research opportunities

4.1

3.9

3.9

3.9

3.7

3.6

3.3

2.9

2.9

2.5


Do you feel prepared for the “business aspects” of pathology? (PGY-4 residents)

Very few senior residents have a high

comfort level with pathology business/

management.

No

Yes, minimally (example – some coding experience)

Yes, moderately (example – exposure to coding and some lectures or other experience with management issues)

Yes, definitely (example – you feel you have the necessary skills to handle some business aspects of pathology, including eventually

assuming managerial roles within a practice setting)

49%

31%

17%

3%

RESIDENTS’ PERCEPTIONS ON TRAINING AND HEALTH CARE

PGY1 PGY2 PGY3 PGY4

Interestingly, PGY-1, PGY-2, and PGY-3 trainees

consistently ranked academic positions as their

preference by a margin of >10 percent over

community practice, but of the PGY-4 residents

who listed a preference, academic and community

positions were selected equally.

What type of practice environment do you plan to seek or are currently seeking? (PGY 1-3 vs. PGY-4) Academic institution

Community group practice

Reference laboratory

Corporate (e.g. Ameripath)

Government/Military

No preference

Other

43%

37%

29%

35%

5%

7%

18%

16%

2%

3%

1%1%

1%1%

PGY 1-3 PGY 4

How confident are you about finding the pathology job you desire?

60%

45%

30%

15%

0%

Not confident at all

Not very confident

Somewhat confident

Very confident

Although the resident comfort level with the business aspects of pathology increases somewhat during training, only about half of PGY-4 individuals

say that they are at least minimally prepared for pathology business. Yet, at least a third of graduating PGY-4 residents seek positions within community

group practice, a setting where such skills are important for success.

More than half of trainees are somewhat to

very confident that they can find their desired

pathology job position, leaving not quite half lacking

confidence about obtaining a job.


What was/is your general range of student loans when you exited medical school?

Has or will your amount of student debt influence your job choice?

Would you want access to a centralized database of private practices and academic institutions and the types of pathologists they employ?

92% YES

8% NO

No student loans

0%

12.5%

25%

37.5%

50%

Less than $99,999

$100,000 – $149,999

$150,000 – $199,999

Greater than $200,000

0%

12.5%

25%

37.5%

50%

No Yes, it will affect the type of practice setting I prefer to enter (private practice, academic practice, reference laboratory, etc).

Yes, it will affect the subspecialty area in which I choose to practice.

Yes, it will affect both the practice setting and subspecialty areas in which I choose to practice.

More than 90 percent of all residents would like to have a centralized database of employment opportunities in both

private and academic fields, with information on the types of pathologists employed.

Student Loans

PGY1 PGY2 PGY3 PGY4


About 40 percent of pathology residents have no student loans at the time of medical school graduation. About 40 percent have more than

$150,000 in debt, and one-quarter of all residents have more than $200,000 in debt. For residents who had student loans, about half felt

that debt would affect their choice of practice setting and/or subspecialty.

Resident Feelings About U.S. Healthcare in General

How do you feel resident education is prioritized at your program?

In response to questions about the importance of resident education at their institution, 40 percent indicated that education was a high priority. About

50 percent indicated some room for improvement, with only 10 percent stating education had a low priority, and a small minority claimed to be

“self-taught.” These results highlight some positive aspects about strong training programs, but suggest that most programs can improve in some

regards, and a few might have significant work to meet the standard expected.

Given the current economic/ political environment,

what is your general feeling about the future of the

healthcare system in United States?

PG1

PG2

PG3

PG4

0% 17.5% 35% 52.5% 70%

Of the residents surveyed who plan to live and practice in the United States nearly two-thirds of those residents overall are

pessimistic about the future of United States health care in general and pathology practice compensation in particular.

Optimistic

Optimistic

Pessimistic

Pessimistic

I do not practice or live in the US

I do not practice or live in the US

Also considering the current economic/political

situation, what is your general feeling regarding future

compensation for those practicing pathology in the

United States?

PG1 PG2 PG3 PG40%

20%

40%

60%

80%


How comfortable are you expressing your fellowship/career plans?

The vast majority of residents (90 percent) were comfortable or fairly comfortable expressing their

career plans, while only 4 percent were fairly or extremely uncomfortable expressing their plans.

Was there a large discrepancy between AP and CP educational experiences?

About a third of residents indicated that their AP and CP educational experiences were similar, but one fourth

of residents indicated that AP was emphasized more and had a better curriculum.

Completely comfortable: the program and attendings are supportive of all residents and career path (i.e. academic vs.

private vs. corporate practice settings, etc.)

Fairly comfortable: some fellowship/career plans are not favored but faculty and program are still supportive

Somewhat comfortable: certain fellowship/career plans are discouraged by program or multiple attendings (this doesn’t apply

to discouraging certain specialties because of job market or because of looking out for the best interest of the resident)

Fairly uncomfortable: the program or most attendings have discouraged or look down upon my fellowship plans

Extremely uncomfortable: resident not able to ask any attendings from residency program for letters of recommendation due to

chosen career path

0 17.5% 35% 52.5% 70%

PGY1 PGY2 PGY3 PGY4


How is the RISE score used in your institution? (Select all that apply):

The vast majority of institutions use RISE scores for individual and program education and improvement,

consistent with the intentions of the exam development committee. Only a small minority provide honors

or priority in positions based on scores.

Program provides individual with educational counseling based on score

Individual receives RISE score,

no further action by program

Program provides summary of program-wide scores to individual so resident can see how

they are doing compared to their fellow program residents

Program addresses overall educational needs of

residents based on aggregate RISE scores

Program requires remediation based

on performance on RISE

Program selects chief residents, or gives other

honors/merits to residents based on RISE scores

Program gives priority for fellowships based on RISE scores

0 10% 20% 30% 40%

PGY1 PGY2 PGY3 PGY4


What do you feel would have enhanced your educational experience? (Select all that apply):

When asked about possible enhancements to the training program, factors at the top of the list include less time spent grossing,

improved quality of didactics, and more time with enthusiastic faculty. Multiple options were not chosen as frequetly by residents such

as access to books, case load, autonomy, and research time, so these areas are not high concerns for most residents.

PGY 1-4

Less resident autonomy

Decreased resident/fellow interactions

More grossing

Less mandated/expected research workload

Better preparation for conferences by other resident attendees

More resident involvement with lectures (as in residents giving lectures)

Lower case volume (i.e. Resident should be given fewer cases to sign-out)

Better distribution of cases between residents and fellows

A book fund to purchase books for study

Higher case volume (i.e. More cases should be assigned to resident)

Increased resident-fellow interactions

Increased access to books/educational materials

More or better research opportunities

Less hostile work environment

More resident autonomy

More faculty involvement with lectures

Increased availability of slide study sets for residents

Better instruction/teaching during sign-out

More faculty interest in resident education

Increasing faculty time dedicated to resident education

Better AP didactics

Making lectures more relevant to residents

Higher quality or more teaching (didactics, consensus conferences, etc.)

Less grossing

Better CP didactics

0

0.2%

0.2%

0.5%

1.6%

1.6%

1.9%

2%

2%

2%

2%

2.1%

2.6%

2.9%

3.3%

4.8%

5.7%

5.7%

6.4%

6.9%

7.1%

7.3%

7.4%

7.5%

7.8%

8.5%


Conclusions • Very few residents are seriously considering jobs right out of pathology training. Of this small subset, 60% receive offers.

• Although 30 percent or more of the residents are clearly interested in community practice, residency training in the business

and management aspects of practice is lacking, both in terms of structured teaching and experience. A centralized database

of employment opportunities for pathology would be highly desirable.

• Medical school debt is significant for many residents and appears to play a role in their choice of practice and a subspecialty of

pathology practice.

APPLYING FOR PATHOLOGY JOBS AFTER FELLOWSHIPASCP offered five Fellowship in-service examinations for the Spring of 2014: the Fellow Forensic In-Service Examination (FISE), the Fellow

In-Service Hematopathology Examination (FISHE), the Fellow Neuropathology In-Service Examination (NPISE), the Fellow Pediatric Pathology

In-Service Examination (PISE), and the Fellow Transfusion Medicine In-Service Exam (TMISE).

Fellow in-service examinations were taken by 275 individuals; post-exam surveys offered the chance to query fellows in Forensics (n=37),

Hematopathology (n=128), Neuropathology (n=43), Pediatric Pathology (n=18), and Transfusion Medicine (n=49) about their experience

entering the job market and any plans for additional specialty training.

FP HP NP PP TM0%

15%

30%

45%

60%Which of the following best describes your residency training program?

About half of all fellows surveyed are currently in university public hospital training programs, with another third in university private hospital settings; the remainder is split between community, military, and other teaching settings. About 55-75% of fellows received medical training in the United States, depending on specialty.

University Public Hospital

University Private Hospital

Community Teaching Hospital

Military Hospital

Private practice/large private laboratory

Other

ascp.org/residents | 21 21 | ascp.org/residents

FP HP NP PP TM0%

25%

50%

75%

100%

0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

FP HP NP PP TM

Did you receive your medical degree in the United States?

FP

HP

NP

PP

TM

0% 22.5% 45% 67% 90%

In which areas are you a diplomate of the ABP (select all that apply)?

Are you a diplomate of the American Board of Pathology (ABP)?

More than 70% of surveyed fellows are already diplomates of the American Board of Pathology, with the majority certified in AP/CP. Between 10 to 40 percent of forensics, neuropathology, and pediatric pathology are certified in AP only, while 30 percent of transfusion medicine fellows are boarded only in CP.

YES YESNO NO

AP/CP SubspecialtyAP Only CP Only

22 | ascp.org/residentsascp.org/residents | 22

The majority of fellows in Forensics,

Hematopathology, and Pediatric Pathology came

from a background of AP/CP residency training;

as expected, 70 percent of Neuropathology

and 50 percent of Transfusion Medicine fellows

completed their residency training in AP-only and

CP-only tracks, respectively.

Indicate your residency training track.

For how many jobs did you formally apply (CVs/resumes mailed)?

Although the majority of fellows in all five specialties

applied for modest numbers (< seven) of employment

positions, more than 56 percent of hematopathology, and

39 percent of transfusion medicine fellows had seven or

more applications and 40 percent of hematopathology

fellows had greater than ten applications.

0% 25% 50% 75% 100%

FP

HP

NP

PP

TM

AP/CP AP Only CP Only

FP

HP

NP

PP

TM

0% 15% 30% 45% 60%

0 1-3 4-6 7-10 >10

ascp.org/residents | 23 23 | ascp.org/residents

FP HP NP PP TM

0%

15%

30%

45%

60%

FP

HP

NP

PP

TM

0% 20% 40% 60% 80%

How many job offers did you receive? Did you receive a job offer at your own residency or fellowship training program?

FP

HP

NP

PP

TM

0% 22.5% 45% 67% 90%

0 1-3 4-6 7-10 >10

0

Yes, but declined for another offerYes

Yes, accepted but will keep looking in the futureYes

Yes, accepted and plan to stayYes

No, not offeredNo

1 2 3 >3

For how many jobs did you formally interview?


Most fellows interviewed for one to three positions. In 2014,

about 40-60 percent of neuropathology, transfusion medicine, and

hematopathology fellows did not receive job offers, and 12-24% of

forensic and pediatric pathology did not receive offers.

Although some fellows in each subspecialty received multiple offers,

for each category the majority received only one offer.

The majority of fellows who did find jobs did so within six months.

About 40 percent of Hematopathology fellows took six months to

greater than a year to find a job, but all except forensic pathology

fellows have fellows who took longer than one year. This is a

significant change from previous years.

0%

15%

30%

45%

60%

FP HP NP PP TMFP HP NP PP TM

0%

25%

50%

75%

100%

From the time you applied, how long did it take you to receive a firm verbal job offer?

From the time you first applied, how long have you been looking for a job?

ADDITIONAL SUBSPECIALTY FELLOWSHIPSWe asked current fellows the following:

“Are you going to do an additional fellowship in a subspecialty other than your current fellowship?”

Between 35 to 72 percent of fellows are planning to complete an additional fellowship besides the one they had just finished.

Overall, 45 percent of all fellows surveyed plan to complete two or more fellowships, similar to survey results of previous years.

<1 month 1 to 3 months 4 to 6 months 6 months to 1 year >1 year


FP HP NP PP TM

0%

17.5%

35%

52.5%

70%

How many fellowships do you intend to complete?

1 2 3 or more

FP

HP

NP

PP

TM

Indicate your principal reason for pursuing fellowship training.

0 1.25 2.25 3.75 5

Fellowship is necessary for a desired position

In general, fellowship training enhances my ability to secure employmentEnhance pathology skills by additional training

Desired job not immediately available after residency

Yes

Yes

Yes

No

Fellows from all five subspecialties indicate that fellowship training improves employability and enhances pathology skills. Competition in the job market was

another important motivator. About 22 percent of fellows had completed another fellowship at time of the survey, about a third in surgical or cytopathology.

Another 35 have already accepted a fellowship for 2014-15.


For what reason(s) are you interested in completing multiple fellowships?

Career goals include advanced specialization in more than one field Believe that multiple areas of subspecialty are needed to compete in a sparse job market Need to improve “weak” areas of residency training to feel comfortable to practice

Desired job not available after the completion of 1st fellowship

Family/location/timing of training 0

1.25

2.25

3.75

4.50

FP HP NP PP TM

1 = Not applicable/not a consideration, 2 = Not very important, 3 = Minor importance, 4 = Somewhat important, 5 = Extremely important)

FP

HP

NP

PP

TM

0% 20% 40% 60% 80%

Did you restrict or plan to restrict your job search to a specific geographic region?

YES NO

About a half of the fellows restricted based on geography. For those residents, family considerations were most

important followed by lifestyle issues. About 10 percent of fellows restrict their job search based on their visa status.


0

1.25

2.5

3.75

5

FP HP NP PP TM0%

10%

20%

30%

Indicate the area to which you restricted your job search. Select all that apply.

Northeast US

Southeast US

Midwest US

Northwest US

Canada

Other

Southwest US

Family considerations

Lifestyle issues (weather, culture, extra-curricular activities available)

Professional contacts in area

Native to the area

Spouse’s job

Indicate your principal reason for such a restriction.

FP

HP

NP

PP

TM


Except for forensics, the highest percentage of each subspecialty chose an academic job. For forensics, government/military was first, followed by an academic job. Between 59 to 100 percent of positions were as salaried employees; only hematopathology (35 percent) and transfusion medicine (30 percent) fellows accepted significant numbers of partner/partner track jobs. Only a handful (5 percent) of all jobs were part-time positions.

FP HP NP PP TM

0%

22.5%

45%

67.5%

90%

Partner/Partner Track

Salaried Employee

Hourly Employee

Locum Tenens

FP HP NP PP TM0%

25%

50%

75%

100%

How would you best describe your employer?

What is your expected employment status?

FP HP NP PP TM0%

25%

50%

75%

100%

Did you accept a part-time position?

Academic institution


Reference Laboratory


Government/Military

Other

YES NO


Starting annual salaries ranged widely among fellowship groups. Very few forensic, transfusion medicine, or neuropathology fellows reported starting annual salaries of $200,000 or more. About 5 percent of fellows overall did not discuss a salary as part of a job offer.

FP HP NP PP TM0%

17.5%

35%

52.5%

70%

If you received a job offer, on average, what was the starting salary offered (excluding benefits)?

1-Long-term job security

2-Job availability in a specific geographic region

3-Salary considerations

4-Opportunities for career advancement

5-Research opportunities

6-Teaching opportunities

7-Opportunity to practice a subspecialty interest

8-Family factors (e.g. spouse’s job, children’s school)

9-Fiscal pressures (loan repayments, etc.)

10-Your perception of staff and institution at interview

0 1 2 3 4 5

In seeking employment in today’s job market, please rate the following issues in terms of their importance to you.

<$100,000/year

$100,000 - <$150,000/year

$150,000 - $200,000/year

$200,000 - $250,000/year

>$250,000/year

A starting salary was not discussed

1 = Not applicable/not a consideration, 2 = Not very important, 3 = Minor importance, 4 = Somewhat important, 5 = Extremely import

FP HP NP PP TM


0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

80%

FP HP NP PP TM

Did you receive a bonus?

For hematopathology, pediatric pathlogy and transfusion medicine, 50-70 perent receive a signing and/or moving bonus

for their new job. For forensics and neuropathology, the majority receive neither.

FP HP NP PP TM

0

0.75

1.5

2.25

Academic institution


Reference Laboratory


Government/Military

Other

Based on your experience, indicate the availability of pathology positions in the following categories.

Conclusions About 45 percent of fellows confirmed plans to complete additional fellowship training, defined as two or more

pathology fellowships before entering the job market. For those fellows who were seeking jobs, most applied for

one to six available positions. However, for hematopathology and transfusion medicine programs, a significant

number of fellows applied for seven or more jobs. A significant percentage of all fellows have not found jobs at

the time of this survey.

Signing bonus only

Moving bonus only

Signing and moving bonus

NO

1=Few 2=Moderate 3=Many

ascp.org/residents | 31 ascp.org/residents | 31

FELLOWS SURVEYED ABOUT ANTICIPATED JOB RESPONSIBILITIES

Fellows were surveyed about their anticipated job responsibilities. Almost 100 percent of fellows who were completing training in forensics were

entering positions with primary forensic pathology responsibilities. About a half of pediatric pathology fellows and transfusion medicine fellows

expected that their workload would be limited to their pathology fellowship specialty.

By contrast, fellows completing their training in hematopathology expected to be handling additional non-specialty responsibilities, with the largest

group anticipating both specialty practice plus aspects of anatomic and clinical pathology practice. Nearly 90 percent of neuropathology fellows

expected their job responsibilities to be neuropathology only or combined neuropathology and surgical pathology.

In learning of job opportunities please rate the following sources in terms of their importance to you.

0 1.25 2.5 3.75

Faculty/word of mouth

spponline.org/positions.asp (PP)

the name.org job listings (FP)

Targeted inquiries (i.e. calling/writing to potential employers)

aabb.org/Content/Professional_Development/CareerLink/careerlink.htm (TM)

“Job Board” posts at pathology conferences

AAFS.org job listings (FP)

pathologyoutlines.com

CAP job listings

apheresis.org/careers_in_apheresis (TM )

pathcareer.com (NP)

ASCP Job Finder

Archives of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine advertisement

Pathcareer.com (PP)

AJCP advertisement

Socforheme.org (HP)

Healthcareers.com/site_templates/cap/index.asp?aff=cap&spld=cap (HP)

Executive Recruiter

NEJM advertisement

mdconsult.com

1 = Not applicable/not a consideration, 2 = Not very important, 3 = Minor importance, 4=Somwwhat, 5= Extremely.


5

3%Other - FP

97% Medicolegal death inquiry (forensic autopsies)

0% Hospital autopsies0% Clinical forensic pathology

0% Organ procurement0% Research

15%Hematopathology only

6%Hematopathology and clinical pathology

5%Other - HP

33% Hematopathology and surgical pathology

39% Hematopathology, surgical pathology, and clinical pathology

2% Research

7%Research

7%Other - NP

40% Neuropathology only

47% Neuropathology and surgical pathology

0% Neuropathology and clinical pathology

0% Neuropathology, surgical pathology, and clinical pathology

15%Pediatric pathology and surgical pathology

8%Pediatric pathology and clinical pathology

8%Other - PP

23% Pediatric pathology, surgical pathology, and clinical pathology

46% Pediatric pathology only

0% Research

Forensic Pathology What types of cases will make up the majority

of your workload?

Neuropathology What types of cases will make up the majority

of your workload?

Hematopathology What types of cases will make up the majority

of your workload?

Pediatric pathology What types of cases will make up the majority

of your workload?


19%Transfusion medicine and clinical pathology

11%Transfusion medicine, surgical pathology, and clinical pathology

4%Transfusion medicine and surgical pathology

22% Other - TM

41% Transfusion medicine only

4% Research

Transfusion Medicine

What types of cases will make up the majority

of your workload?

Conclusions • The job situation for pathology fellows is mixed; many receive one or more offers, but a substantial number of fellows

are not finding employment right away. This latter circumstance may weigh on fellows’ decisions to pursue additional

fellowship training. Many fellows receive a job offer within the first six months, but some need up to a year or more for

a positive response.

• There is some disparity in starting salaries for fellows coming out of training, possibly related to both specialty

and range of responsibilities. Fellows coming from forensics largely expect that their job responsibilities will mirror

their fellowship specialty. Most fellows completing their training in neuropathology combine surgical pathology and

neuropathology. Many hematopathology, pediatric pathology, and transfusion medicine fellows anticipate positions that

encompass additional responsibilities including surgical and /or clinical pathology.


Jennifer N. Stall, MD Chair

Maria Hintzke, MD Chair-Elect

Jennifer M. Hawkins, DO Secretary

Felicia D. Allard, MD

Elizabeth Azzato, MD, PhD, MPH

Feriyl Bhaijee, MD

Mary D. Le, MD

Matthew Miller, MD

Toni Peters, MD

Deepti Mary Ravi, MD

Mathew D. Rumery, MD

Harold C. Sullivan, MD

2013–14 ASCP Resident Council

STRONGERTOGETHER


ACKNOWLEDGEMENTSThe ASCP RISE Committee wishes to thank the members of the

ASCP Resident Council for their dedicated input to these surveys.

Moreover, this survey would not be possible without the cooperation

of all pathology residency program directors and the participation of

all residents and fellows who take these in-service exams and the

associated surveys. We are very grateful for their assistance. Please

address comments or questions about this survey to Jay Wagner at

[email protected] or [email protected].

Mary D. Le, MD

Caroline Raasch Alquist, MD, PhD

Rama Gullapalli, MD, PhD Cover imagery:

STRONGERTOGETHER

33 West Monroe Street, Suite 1600Chicago, IL 60603 P 312.541.4999ascp.org

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