Timing of milestone competency acquisition in neurology residency: What by when?

Abstract

To determine the stage of training at which neurology residents should achieve individual elements of the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education neurology Milestones and to examine the relationship between perceived importance of Milestones and the stage by which they should be achieved. A modified Delphi technique was used to establish consensus postgraduate year (PGY) expectations for neurology Milestone competencies across 3 geographically and administratively distinct Mayo Clinic neurology residency programs. Timing expectations were examined for relationships to perceived importance of the individual Milestones and effects of participant characteristics. PGY expectations for neurology Milestone elements ranged from PGY 1.3 to PGY 4.1. Extent of rater educational seniority had no effect on PGY competency expectations. There was a moderate inverse relationship between perceived importance of the Milestone element and the PGY by which it should be achieved (r s = -0.74, p < 0.0001). Expectations for neurology Milestone competency acquisition can be measured and may help inform individual program design, educational expectations, and future Milestone design.