From the President’s Desk: Transitions in training and practice

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The committee also surveyed employers in 2014 and learned that many rely on word of mouth to find new people—networking is important. Also of interest: 57 percent of employers would consider applicants who had not completed a fellowship.

The ABP new-in-practice survey is sure to become a great resource as we continue to refine training goals and practice styles. As Dr. Black-Schaffer puts it, if pathologists are to practice evidence-based medicine, they need evidence-based education. It could be that we will need to navigate toward right-sized training to cover whatever comes our way 10 years from now. Perhaps we’ll see a more substantial role for subspecialty fellows in some practices. In any event, he says, it’s all about using those training years optimally and asking the right questions.
I believe that our initiatives in GME and new-in-practice support will put pathology in the forefront of efforts to train future physicians for the emerging practice environment. Thanks to the long-term hard work of more people than I can name here, we will have the evidence required to do it right.

A few final words about our trainees and new-in-practice members. I would like to thank the 238 Residents Forum delegates in attendance at CAP ’14 who graciously included me in their town hall on graduated responsibility. What a dynamic, engaging afternoon! I was pleased, but not surprised, to learn they are now planning to pilot a targeted networking program at the spring 2015 House of Delegates/Residents Forum meeting. Their plan to connect hiring pathologists and graduating trainees is sure to be a winner.

I would also like to recognize the CAP New In Practice Committee, which has done wonderful work to welcome and nurture our newest fellows (http://j.mp/cap-new-practice-committee). When asked how well-established pathologists can best help new-in-practice colleagues, Michelle Powers, MD, MBA, who chairs the NIP Committee, stressed the importance of clear expectations. “Let them know so they know,” she said. “Give them a metric to work toward and an opportunity to exceed it.”

I could devote an entire column to the importance of supporting our newest members. To be succinct, I’ll share what Residents Forum chair Lauren Stuart, MD, MBA, said when asked what CAP fellows could do for physicians in training and new in practice. “Give us continuous feedback on our performance,” she said, “both good and bad.”

Speaking of feedback, I have a suggestion for those who are thinking about retirement. Why not make mentorship your new hobby during the transition and beyond? Taking on a mentee—and persuading your partners to do the same—would be a great way to celebrate Laboratory Week, April 19–25.

Dr. Herbek welcomes communication from CAP members. Write to him at president@cap.org.