The Shrinking Workforce of Pathologists: Implications for Healthcare and Possible Solutions

Dear Editor,

I would like to draw your attention to a pressing issue that threatens the sustainability and effectiveness of pathological diagnostics in Italy: the alarming shortage of pathologists and the increasing workload imposed on the remaining specialists, which significantly affects diagnostic turnaround times, a critical aspect of patient care. This situation could compromise service efficiency and raise concerns about diagnostic accuracy and patient safety.

Recent projections indicate a growing deficit of medical specialists across various disciplines, with pathology being one of the most affected. According to workforce planning data, the number of active pathologists in Italy is expected to decline significantly by 2025 due to an aging workforce and an insufficient number of newly trained specialists ¹. Moreover, many residency scholarships remain unfilled each year, as pathology remains an unpopular choice among medical graduates. For example, in 2024 alone, 110 out of 180 (52%) residency positions in pathology were left unassigned ². While this high percentage may be partially attributed to a general shortage of new medical graduates, it also suggests a declining interest in pathology as a career choice, with many students preferring other disciplines.