Objective: Pathology residency training in the 21st century is being intensively discussed in order to revise the goals and methods of the program. Based on these discussions, a competency-based pathology residency training program was conducted at the Hacettepe University Pathology Department in 2002. We performed a survey in order to obtain more comprehensive data on the perceptions of strenghts and weaknesses of our competency-based pathology residency training program.

Material and Method: A questionnaire consisting of 45 questions focused on microscopical and gross examination, intraoperative consultation, autopsy, cytopathology, molecular pathology and laboratory management, was completed by 5 pathology residents and 5 recent graduates.

Results: Results from our survey suggested that the residents and recent graduates were generally confident in several aspects of pathology, but major deficiencies were noted in laboratory management and molecular diagnostic skills.

Conclusion: The results of this survey will provide input for future pathology training programs in our department so that we will be able to train pathologists that are competent in pathology practice and prepared for the changing role of pathologists in patient care management in 21th century.