How well are we training the next generation of clinical pathologists and clinical laboratory directors? A global perspective.

Like most areas of medicine, the clinical laboratory [clinical pathology (CP)] is seeing a rapid introduction of new technologies and science. New biomarkers for diagnosis, prognosis, prediction of response to therapy, and future risk are being proposed at such a high rate that it is difficult to keep up with the literature. At the same time, the aging population of the developed world will demand more laboratory medicine services. Finally, laboratory directors (both MD and PhD) are themselves an aging population, with some estimates suggesting that up to 50% of current laboratory directors in the US will retire in the next 10 years. Considering all of these factors, many questions have been raised about training the next generation of clinical laboratory directors and clinical (or chemical) pathologists with respect to how many to train, what areas of our field need to be emphasized, and whether research is an important aspect of training. Here, 5 leaders from around the globe who are deeply involved with training the next generation of laboratory medicine scientists and physicians answer some of the questions that are being faced by all of us who are actively engaged in training.