Attrition in the Integrated Interventional Radiology Residency Program: 2017-2023.

Abstract

To evaluate attrition in integrated interventional radiology (IR) residency compared with the independent IR, diagnostic radiology (DR), integrated programs, and other residency programs. This study was conducted based on publicly available data published by the ACGME from 2017 to 2023. Residents were categorized as having transferred, withdrawn, dismissed, unsuccessfully completed, or deceased. Attrition was calculated by dividing the total number of departed residents by the total number of residents within a given specialty. Data for the IR residency was compared with other residency programs during the same period. Odds ratios (ORs) and P values were calculated using multivariate logistic regression and χ² test. A P value < .05 was considered significant. Attrition for the integrated IR residency ranged from 2.3% to 5.1% during the 6-year period. Third-year IR (IR3) residents had the highest attrition at 6.70%. Attrition rates were significantly different between resident years, driven by a higher rate of attrition in resident year (RY)3 compared with RY1, RY2, and RY4. The odds of attrition in the independent IR and DR programs were, respectively, 77.6% and 52.9%, lower compared with the integrated IR program. The integrated IR residency attrition rates were comparable to general surgery (OR = 0.835; P = .178) and integrated thoracic surgery (OR = 0.751; P = .178) and higher than family medicine (OR = P < .001), neurological surgery (P < .001), integrated vascular surgery (P < .001), obstetrics and gynecology (P < .001), internal medicine (P < .001), orthopedic surgery (P < .001) and emergency medicine (P < .001) residency programs. Findings from this study outline elevated attrition within the integrated IR programs. This study highlights a need for additional research to identify risk factors and potential interventions to improve medical student education, resident support and retention.