SWOT Analysis Helps Pathologist Council Enhance Offerings for Members’ Changing Needs

An in-depth analysis of ASCP’s position in pathology and laboratory medicine, undertaken this year by the Pathologist Council, is guiding the development of new offerings designed to better meet members’ needs in an evolving profession.

“Our goal is to come up with ideas – both big picture as well as practical -- that can be implemented this year or in future years,” said Council Chair Chris Cogbill, MD, FASCP. “What’s driving this initiative is that a lot in our profession is changing. For example, we continue to see a medical laboratory workforce shortage, and we also anticipate a shortage of pathologists. We need to enhance awareness of pathology and laboratory medicine as a rewarding profession in order to recruit new members to the field.” 

Many medical schools, he noted, have already “weaned out” pathology and laboratory medicine from their formal curricula owing to time constraints.

“It would be beneficial to work with medical schools and make it easier for them to provide education offerings to medical students who may not be on a pathology rotation. For example, we could provide short education modules that would be relevant to practice,” Dr. Cogbill says.

The Council is also discussing how to capitalize on technology to provide webinars and other products in an easier-to-use format as well as ways to incorporate the Society’s new initiative on diversity and inclusion into their goals.