Personality Traits, Burnout and Work Satisfaction Among In-Training and Practicing Pathologists

Document Type

Conference Proceeding

Publication Date

3-2023

Publication Title

Laboratory Investigation

Abstract

Background: Currently there is a shortage of pathologists in the US due to both a retiring population of aging pathologists and limited medical student exposure to formal pathology and laboratory medicine training. This limited awareness is also prevalent among undergraduate students and general public. Understanding this value and how students often begin considering their future career paths towards the end of their secondary education, Pathology Outreach Program (POP) was established in 2018 to raise awareness among high school students towards the importance and careers in pathology professions. Design: The program consists of approximately 1-hour interactive session, telling students about the specialty of pathology, its scope, basic workflow, career options and case based emphasis on its role in patient care. An online survey is voluntarily and anonymously completed by the students before and after the session, measuring the effect of the program on their perceptions about the field. Results: From 02/2018 to 09/2022, 290 high school students from IL and MI completed the survey after in-person sessions from the founder and ambassadors of the programs. 280 students (97%) agreed that the course helped increase their understanding about the pathologists’ role in health care. This is in contrast to 52% students being not sure about what pathologists do, before the course. 188 students (64.6%) also agreed that the course helped them eliminate any misconceptions they may have had about pathologists, and 278 students (95.9%) felt that this course positively helped inform them about career pathways and options in pathology (Table 1), compared to 78% not knowing any career pathways in the field, before the session. 214 students (74%) said that they would be interested in learning more about pathology in the future. Furthermore, this course made 91 students (31.4%) feel more interested in considering pathology or another related field as a career option, 235 students (81%) agreed that pathology is an interesting and fulfilling field, and 286 students (98.6%) attributed positive values towards the work pathologists do (Table 1). Conclusions: POP had an overall positive impact towards increasing awareness of and perceptions towards pathology professions among the student population surveyed. The survey also highlights the need for continued outreach initiatives, and POP provides an outline when addressing ways to increase exposure and recruitment to the field.

Volume

103

Issue

3 Suppl

First Page

S265

Comments

United States and Canadian Academy of Pathology (USCAP) 112th Annual Meeting, March 11-16, 2023, New Orleans, LA

Last Page

S266

DOI

10.1016/j.labinv.2023.100086

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