Abstract No. 179 Interventional radiology trainee perspectives on clinical training paradigm and trends on future job perception

Abstract

PurposeTo gain insight into interventional radiology (IR) trainee perspectives on what they will look for in future jobs, as well as their perspectives of the future of IR in the setting of new clinical training pathways and a shifting practice landscape.Materials and MethodsFollowing review by Society of Interventional Radiology (SIR) graduate medical education leadership, a 24-question survey was created to assess IR trainee demographics and perspectives on their educational experience, factors influencing practice selection and environments, and perspectives on the field of IR. A web-based survey tool was distributed to SIR in-training members from medical student to senior integrated/independent residents (2326 medical students and 921 residents, 3247 total). Distribution methods involved direct email, posting to SIRConnect, and distribution to the APDIR. The survey tool was active from 7/21/20 through 9/4/20. All participation was voluntary, anonymized, and uncompensated.Results426 trainees responded to the survey. Of these, 94 were senior IR trainees (23%; PGY5 or 6 in ESIR/integrated/independent IR pathways), 156 were junior trainees (37%; PGY2-4 in diagnostic radiology [DR] or IR pathways), and 176 were medical students and interns (41%; PGY1 and below). 77% were male. Response rate was 27% among junior and senior resident trainees.There is improving representation of women in IR. 15% of senior IR trainees identified as female, increasing to 24% among interns and medical students. Over 97% of senior trainees desire jobs where >50% of their clinical time is spent in IR, with the remaining in DR. There is an increasing trend toward seeking jobs with 100% IR clinical time, from 5% among interns and medical students to 22% with senior IR trainees.52% of interns and medical students feel that IR is losing turf battles or at minimum remaining even with competing specialties, increasing to 93% among senior trainees. Trainees of all levels agreed that the three largest challenges facing IR are turf battles, lack of brand recognition, and lack of evidence-based medicine.Additional trends include 50% of senior IR residents want more experience in PAD/Aortic interventions, 33% of senior IR residents originally considered vascular, general, or orthopedic surgery as career options, and most current IR trainees are not interested in pursuing fellowships.ConclusionsIR trainees have distinct expectations of the job landscape and future of the field. Delineating expectations of future IRs will delineate the strengths and weaknesses of the field and serve to better tailor SIR toward trainee needs. PurposeTo gain insight into interventional radiology (IR) trainee perspectives on what they will look for in future jobs, as well as their perspectives of the future of IR in the setting of new clinical training pathways and a shifting practice landscape. To gain insight into interventional radiology (IR) trainee perspectives on what they will look for in future jobs, as well as their perspectives of the future of IR in the setting of new clinical training pathways and a shifting practice landscape. Materials and MethodsFollowing review by Society of Interventional Radiology (SIR) graduate medical education leadership, a 24-question survey was created to assess IR trainee demographics and perspectives on their educational experience, factors influencing practice selection and environments, and perspectives on the field of IR. A web-based survey tool was distributed to SIR in-training members from medical student to senior integrated/independent residents (2326 medical students and 921 residents, 3247 total). Distribution methods involved direct email, posting to SIRConnect, and distribution to the APDIR. The survey tool was active from 7/21/20 through 9/4/20. All participation was voluntary, anonymized, and uncompensated. Following review by Society of Interventional Radiology (SIR) graduate medical education leadership, a 24-question survey was created to assess IR trainee demographics and perspectives on their educational experience, factors influencing practice selection and environments, and perspectives on the field of IR. A web-based survey tool was distributed to SIR in-training members from medical student to senior integrated/independent residents (2326 medical students and 921 residents, 3247 total). Distribution methods involved direct email, posting to SIRConnect, and distribution to the APDIR. The survey tool was active from 7/21/20 through 9/4/20. All participation was voluntary, anonymized, and uncompensated. Results426 trainees responded to the survey. Of these, 94 were senior IR trainees (23%; PGY5 or 6 in ESIR/integrated/independent IR pathways), 156 were junior trainees (37%; PGY2-4 in diagnostic radiology [DR] or IR pathways), and 176 were medical students and interns (41%; PGY1 and below). 77% were male. Response rate was 27% among junior and senior resident trainees.There is improving representation of women in IR. 15% of senior IR trainees identified as female, increasing to 24% among interns and medical students. Over 97% of senior trainees desire jobs where >50% of their clinical time is spent in IR, with the remaining in DR. There is an increasing trend toward seeking jobs with 100% IR clinical time, from 5% among interns and medical students to 22% with senior IR trainees.52% of interns and medical students feel that IR is losing turf battles or at minimum remaining even with competing specialties, increasing to 93% among senior trainees. Trainees of all levels agreed that the three largest challenges facing IR are turf battles, lack of brand recognition, and lack of evidence-based medicine.Additional trends include 50% of senior IR residents want more experience in PAD/Aortic interventions, 33% of senior IR residents originally considered vascular, general, or orthopedic surgery as career options, and most current IR trainees are not interested in pursuing fellowships. 426 trainees responded to the survey. Of these, 94 were senior IR trainees (23%; PGY5 or 6 in ESIR/integrated/independent IR pathways), 156 were junior trainees (37%; PGY2-4 in diagnostic radiology [DR] or IR pathways), and 176 were medical students and interns (41%; PGY1 and below). 77% were male. Response rate was 27% among junior and senior resident trainees. There is improving representation of women in IR. 15% of senior IR trainees identified as female, increasing to 24% among interns and medical students. Over 97% of senior trainees desire jobs where >50% of their clinical time is spent in IR, with the remaining in DR. There is an increasing trend toward seeking jobs with 100% IR clinical time, from 5% among interns and medical students to 22% with senior IR trainees.52% of interns and medical students feel that IR is losing turf battles or at minimum remaining even with competing specialties, increasing to 93% among senior trainees. Trainees of all levels agreed that the three largest challenges facing IR are turf battles, lack of brand recognition, and lack of evidence-based medicine. Additional trends include 50% of senior IR residents want more experience in PAD/Aortic interventions, 33% of senior IR residents originally considered vascular, general, or orthopedic surgery as career options, and most current IR trainees are not interested in pursuing fellowships. ConclusionsIR trainees have distinct expectations of the job landscape and future of the field. Delineating expectations of future IRs will delineate the strengths and weaknesses of the field and serve to better tailor SIR toward trainee needs. IR trainees have distinct expectations of the job landscape and future of the field. Delineating expectations of future IRs will delineate the strengths and weaknesses of the field and serve to better tailor SIR toward trainee needs.