Not choosing pathology: An essay-based survey of first-year clinical residents.

Objectives: Health care systems worldwide are facing a shortage in the pathology workforce that could negatively affect health care services, particularly oncology. To address this potential shortfall, the pathology community must identify the reasons why graduating students are not choosing pathology as a specialty.

Methods: We analyzed 226 free-text essay responses submitted by nonpathology residents at a teaching hospital.