American Society of Clinical Pathologists - Resident Physician Section: Results of autopsy survey (Winter 1994-1995)

The recent debate on autopsy and the role of this unique doctor-patient relationship in the modern medical profession prompted the Resident Physician Section of the American Society of Clinical Pathologists to conduct a survey on postmortem practice as it relates to pathology residents. A total of 102 of 176 (58%) Resident Physician Section (RPS) liaisons from pathology residency programs in the United States, Canada, and Puerto Rico responded to a survey that consisted of 30 questions. The findings of the survey confirm the decrease in autopsy numbers,highlighting the problem of providing sufficient autopsy training to pathology residents. Interestingly, the majority of programs showed a striking similarity with regard to basic autopsy protocol procedures. Liaisons identified incorporation of clinical pathology, basic science, and clinicopathologic interaction as areas of weakness. In the final analysis, the majority of liaisons had a favorable opinion of their autopsy experience.