Work Location and Effort of Forensic Pathology Fellows who Completed Training in 2012

Abstract

To assist in projecting the future workforce of forensic pathologists, it is helpful to know the job type and forensic pathology work effort of the forensic pathology fellows who are completing their fellowships. In the Spring of 2012, an on-line survey form was created to obtain information about each forensic pathology fellow in the United States who would be completing their fellowships on or about June 30, 2012. Through an email distribution list of Forensic Pathology Training Program Directors maintained by the author, each of the 36 directors of active programs was notified of the survey.

Forty-two fellows were to complete training in June, 2012. Twenty-eight of the fellows (65%) were women which is the highest percentage on record. The percentage of women has increased each year since 2008 (41% in 2008, 51% in 2009, 58% in 2010, and 65% in 2011). Among the 42 fellows, 32 (76%) will be practicing FP full-time. Only two (5%) will not be practicing FP at all and will be going into another pathology specialty practice. Another three are yet undetermined as to work location and effort, and the remaining four will be doing ad-ditional pathology training. Of the 32 fellows who will be practicing FP full-time, 25 (78%) will be moving to another location to practice forensic pathology. The remaining seven (22%) will remain in the system where they trained.

The current production of approximately 30 full-time, board certified forensic pathologists per year is not enough to meet projected need. Efforts are needed to recruit pathologists into the field and funding is needed to expand forensic pathology training programs.