The Causes and Consequences of Pathologist Burnout

A while back, we shed light on a growing negative trend in the clinical laboratory space, with the help of Dr. James Crawford. In the article, shared here and published in Clinical Lab Products magazine, Crawford spoke in great detail about a shortage of qualified medical lab technologists. He noted that the crisis arose after years of growing concern and offered steps that all clinical labs and pathology groups can take to help manage the problem.

Today, we focus on a separate but related issue, the stress and burnout of being a pathologist and running an independent pathology practice during turbulent times.

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Troubling Numbers from a Recent Poll  

If you’re a pathologist, it’s a good bet you’ve felt burnout during your career, and there’s a good chance that you’re affected by burnout today. That’s according to a 2020 poll conducted by the American Society of Clinical Pathology (ASCP) and published by the American Journal of Clinical Pathology.

The poll revealed that 71.4 percent of practicing pathologists had experienced symptoms of burnout at some point, with 32.9 percent reporting it as a current concern. The survey also highlighted six key factors contributing to workplace burnout, including:

• Lack of autonomy
• Bureaucracy (including both regulatory and compliance issues)
• Challenges of LIS systems/EHRs
• Mergers and acquisitions
• Workload
• Isolation

Additional factors contributing to burnout included feelings of depersonalization stemming from limited direct patient interaction and a sense that their work often went unrecognized.

Consequences of burnout include inattentiveness, irritability, and “tiredness” resulting in job transitions, increased medical errors, and consequent malpractice claims.

Case Study: Summit Pathology - Achieving Laboratory Profitability Amidst Operational Pressures

The Role of the Pandemic and Rising Labor Costs 

While researching for this blog post, we enlisted the help of a former practicing pathologist with an extensive background in information technology and laboratory information systems (LIS software).

This accomplished pathologist understands how LIS systems bring intrinsic value to modern laboratory operations. He’s a well-respected voice within the industry who agreed to share his insight as part of a background interview, and for that, we’re grateful. 

What we learned during the interview was not surprising. Anxiety and stress among pathologists are on the rise as they collectively deal with rising cases and a lack of qualified personnel to share the workload. 

Some of the increased workload has been linked to the aftermath of COVID-19, as many patients are now proceeding with surgeries and biopsies that were delayed during the pandemic. Another major factor is the ongoing financial strain on hospitals and health systems, which has led to widespread staff reductions.

An unexpected consequence of these pressures was also mentioned during the interview: a noticeable decline in volunteer participation from pathologists and informaticians in professional groups like the Association of Pathology Informatics. With limited time and heavier workloads, many simply can't commit to roles such as committee chairs or project contributors.

White Paper: How Labs Can Achieve Financial Stability During Turbulent Times

Adding Automation to Laboratory Workflow Management and LIS System Processes 

Today’s pathologists often sign out 40 to 50 cases during long 10- to 12-hour workdays. Many also find themselves working evenings and weekends, especially since surgical specimens routinely arrive late in the week and are processed overnight.

Historically, pathologists were thought to work fewer hours than their clinical counterparts; however, that perception is shifting. As staffing shortages grow and full-time equivalents (FTEs) are reduced, pathology departments are increasingly stretched. This leads to longer hours and heavier workloads.

For many, the solution starts with laboratory software systems that support automation. For example, clinical pathology is a prime example of what can be accomplished with an automated clinical lab workflow.

A chemistry or hematology lab requires only a few people to support automation as specimens are clinically processed via belts and analyzers, and are only touched once or twice from entering the lab until processing, shipping, and storage. 

The current state of surgical pathology has much less automation, but it’s moving in the right direction thanks to advances in technology and modern pathology lab software solutions. 

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Automating the precise tasks of surgical pathology was once a significant challenge—skills like cutting thin tissue sections required expert hands. Today, that’s changing thanks to advancements like automated microtomes, automated stainers, and the rise of digital pathology solutions.

Equally transformative is the development of modern pathology lab reporting software. Laboratory information systems have evolved into the central hub for managing all laboratory data, streamlining workflows, improving accuracy, and supporting integration across the lab.

These new modern LIS lab solutions feature interface engines that maximize connectivity with all laboratory analyzers and devices. They are also rule-based, enabling lab directors and managers to build simple to complex rules and actions that replace inefficient and mistake-prone human intervention with automation. 

Learn More: How do I Know if My Laboratory has Outgrown its LIS System?

Lastly, the best LIS lab solutions now feature just-in-time functionality, enabling users to monitor specimens at every stage of the workflow, greatly reducing the risk of lost or mislabeled samples. 

The fundamental question in the face of overwork and personnel shortages is at what point of frustration does the pathology practice abandon the old way of doing things and invest in technology and automation that a modern lab information system can readily provide to ensure a successful surgical practice? 

Learn More: The Role of Anatomic Pathology LIS Software in Optimizing Laboratory Workflow Management

Artificial Intelligence, Digital Pathology, and Modern Laboratory Information Systems

Many experts anticipate a major surge in pathology informatics, driven by rapid advancements in automation and emerging technologies.

Because of this, modern pathology LIS systems like the all-in-one LigoLab Medical LIS & Lab Billing Informatics Platform are well-positioned for what’s likely to be a pathology revolution in the next 5- to 7-year period. 

Industry experts believe that support for artificial intelligence (AI) and digital pathology will be necessary to manage caseloads. They think we will soon see one pathologist routinely being as productive as two pathologists are at present.

This belief is also supported by a recent report released by Signify Research, which suggests the global market demand for digital pathology is likely to double by 2025. 

With the adoption of this new technology, we may soon see a digital pathology workflow where a single pathologist will scan and release 60-to-70 percent of his or her cases based solely on the results of digital images scanned by image analysis software. 

Another 20-to-30 percent of the cases will be more challenging, with the software providing a diagnosis that the doctor may or may not agree with. 

Finally, about 5 percent of cases will be so complex that they require the expertise of a pathologist to ensure an accurate diagnosis, highlighting the indispensable role of human judgment in even the most advanced systems.

In conclusion, investing in the future of pathology is essential. Medical labs typically account for only about 5 percent of a health system’s overall budget, yet their impact is enormous. Laboratory test results inform 70 to 80 percent of all medical decisions, making clinical labs a vital and cost-effective cornerstone of patient care.

Industry Insights: Digital Pathology Redefined - Uniting AI, Viewers, and a Robust LIS System for a Seamless Workflow

Is Your LIS Laboratory Information System Ready for What’s Coming Next? 

If surgical pathology practices are to overcome the current issues covered here, a modern, rule-based LIS laboratory information system that supports automation and maximizes connectivity is a must-have. 

It’s clear that rigid and legacy LIS systems are going the way of the dinosaur and are being phased out by unified medical LIS software solutions that are both comprehensive (full of features with new enhancements developed daily) and flexible (include thousands of configurable entities that give clinical labs and pathology groups the ability to quickly introduce new tests, results, reports, and new fields). 

The best LIS systems also operate without multiple data silos between modules and departments and include pathology lab management solutions for laboratory billing (lab revenue cycle management). 

Not all LIS systems are created equally, so choose wisely. Ask about the LIS system provided and the laboratory information system vendor’s approach to support and upgrades. 

You’ll find the best laboratory information system software for your lab will be backed by a LIS company interested in your lab’s long-term success, one with low upfront costs and aligned pricing, no hidden fees, and one that is motivated to work with you and your team to make your lab super-efficient and productive. 

Learn More: LigoLab Informatics Platform: Uniquely Designed to Deliver Maximum Value