Survey of Intern Year Experiences for Those Going into Interventional Radiology: Comparing Surgery, Medicine and Transitional Year Internships.

SURGERY, INTERNAL MEDICINE, OR TRANSITION YEAR FOR INTERNS GOING INTO INTERVENTIONAL RADIOLOGY: Comparison of intern year specialty in regards to preparation for interventional radiology (IR) with results and analysis of the resident, fellow, and student (RFS) survey of trainees.

PURPOSE: Evaluate trainee experiences regarding internship variables with respect to IR preparedness.

MATERIALS: A questionnaire created by members of the Society of Interventional Radiology (SIR) RFS IR Residency Training Committee was distributed to RFS members at SIR 2017 conference and via an online survey. The anonymous survey consisted of Likert scale, dichotomous questions, and free response questions. Results were analyzed utilizing a one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA), calculation of mean, standard deviation (SD) and 95% confidence interval (CI).

RESULTS: A total of 112 residents completed the survey (47 Surgery, 33 Medicine, 29 Transitional Year [TY]), and 3 nontraditional internships categorized as other (2 Pediatric, and 1 Neurosurgery). The average procedures performed as intern were; Surgery: 51-75, Medicine: 0-25, TY: 25-50, Other: 25-50. Trainees who completed a surgical internship reported an overall higher comfort level with procedures (Mean: 4.23, SD: 0.81, CI: 0.21, p < 0.00001) compared to medicine interns (2.84, SD: 1.42, CI: 0.48), and TY interns (3.03, SD: 1.48, CI: 0.55). There was no statistical difference between subgroups when comparing; months of night float, maximum consecutive hours worked, ancillary work, etc. Preliminary surgery residents reported a higher quality preparation for IR in their programs (4.3, SD: 0.93, CI: 0.27, p < 0.01) in comparison to Medicine (3.4, SD: 1.1, CI: 0.4), and TY residents (3.6, SD: 1.2, CI: 0.46). Ninety-four percent of surgery residents would choose to repeat a surgery internship. TY residents were next likely to choose the same type of internship at 83%, while the remaining 17% would choose to do surgery year. Medicine residents were least likely to choose medicine again, 23/33 (70%). Surgery, TY, and then medicine residents would choose the same program again (83%, 79%, 75%, respectively).

CONCLUSION: In alignment with SIR recommendations, the general consensus of trainees surveyed support that a preliminary surgery internship provides the greatest preparation for IR training. Surgical internships provided the greatest opportunity to perform procedures, corresponding with greater comfort levels, and self-reported better preparedness for future training in IR.