Management training for pathology residents. I. Results of a national survey.

The professional activities of anatomic and clinical pathologists involve, to a large extent, management issues. To evaluate the management training received by pathology residents, the authors surveyed pathology residency training programs in the United States. Responses were collected from 138 of 187 programs (73.8% response rate). Of the 138 programs, 61 reported that they had a formal training program in management, with an average of 26.8 +/- 4.9 (standard error) hours/year devoted to this discipline. Directors of 64.5% of the programs felt that management training should be expanded. Lectures were used in 61% of the programs, some in combination with case studies. Elements of training in fiscal management were present in 52.8% of the programs, and the presence of fiscal management training was associated significantly with a greater number of hours spent in management training (P < .001). Training in traditional laboratory management and quality control was included in 91.5% of the programs. The principles of total quality management were discussed in only 31.7% of the programs, but 80.6% of the programs encouraged residents' participation in departmental or institutional total quality management activities. These data indicate that there are major differences in the quality of and emphasis on management training for pathology residents in the United States.