Abstract

An attempt has been made to assess for the period 1969-1975 the demand for consultant pathologists and the adequacy of the trainee cadre to fulfil this demand. In addition new data have been acquired on the way in which pathologists apportion their time between specialties and the availability of specialist opinion and other derived information. The demand for consultants in all specialties, with the exception of morbid anatomy, is likely to exceed the supply. The shortfall is greatest in medical microbiology and chemical pathology, but may be felt equally in haematology in the short term.