Postgraduate Year 6 Versus Postgraduate Year 7 Neurosurgical Chief Year: A Survey of Residents and Program Directors

Abstract

Recently, more neurosurgical residency programs have transitioned from a postgraduate year (PGY)-7 to a PGY-6 chief year. There has not been a national analysis of resident and program director perceptions regarding the timing of chief year conductance and its influence on overall program satisfaction. An online survey was distributed to all North American PGY 4-7 residents and program directors. Data regarding program size, protected research timing, chief year timing (PGY-6 vs. PGY-7), and resident and program director perceptions of the influence of neurosurgical chief year timing on program satisfaction and ability of residents to practice were recorded. Survey results were summarized descriptively. A total of 134 respondents completed the survey. Thirty-five percent of respondents reported a recent program transition from a PGY-7 to PGY-6 chief year while 44% of respondents at programs conducting a PGY-7 chief year reported they were interested in transitioning to a PGY-6 chief year. The large majority (76%) of respondents at PGY-6 chief year programs stated they were overall satisfied with this. A large percentage of all respondents reported that a PGY-6 chief year provided increased opportunity for subspecialty focus, enfolded fellowships and career planning. Program directors and residents at PGY-6 chief year programs report a high level of satisfaction with close to half of those at PGY-7 programs desiring to make this transition. Most PGY-6 chief year respondents report that this model allows for greater subspecialty focus and career planning during the PGY-7year.