Reclaiming the Autopsy as the Practice of Medicine: A Pathway to Remediation of the Forensic Pathology Workforce Shortage?

Am J Forensic Med Pathol. 2020 Dec;41(4):242-248. doi: 10.1097/PAF.0000000000000589.

Abstract

The historically constricted forensic pathology workforce pipeline is facing an existential crisis. Pathology residents are exposed to forensic pathology through the American Council of Graduate Medical Education autopsy requirement. In 1950, autopsies were conducted in one half of the patients dying in American hospitals and 90% in teaching hospitals, but they have dwindled to fewer than 5%. Elimination of funding for autopsies is a major contributor to the lack of support for autopsies in departments of pathology. Funding may require reclaiming the autopsy as the practice of medicine. Funding of autopsies would rekindle interest in hospital autopsies and strengthen the forensic pathology workforce pipeline.

MeSH terms

  • Autopsy / economics*
  • Autopsy / trends*
  • Fellowships and Scholarships / statistics & numerical data
  • Forensic Pathology / education
  • Forensic Pathology / trends
  • Health Workforce / trends*
  • Humans
  • Internship and Residency / statistics & numerical data
  • Internship and Residency / trends
  • Medicare
  • Pathology, Clinical / education
  • Pathology, Clinical / trends
  • Reimbursement Mechanisms
  • Students, Medical / statistics & numerical data
  • United States