Education Research: Challenges Faced by Neurology Trainees in a Neuro-Intervention Career Track

Objective The widespread adoption of endovascular therapy (EVT) for emergent large vessel occlusion has led to increased nationwide demand for neuro-interventionalists, heightened interest among Neurology residents to pursue neuro-intervention (NI) as a career, and increased importance of NI exposure for all Neurologists who care for patients with AIS. Currently, exposure to NI and its career path are not well-defined for Neurology trainees.

Methods The Society for Vascular and Interventional Neurology (SVIN) Education Committee conducted a multi-center electronic survey directed towards Neurology residents, Vascular Neurology (VN), Neuro-critical care (NCC) and NI fellows in June 2018. Two hundred fifty programs were invited to participate; 76 trainees completed the survey.

Results Respondents self-identified as 22% postgraduate year (PGY)-2, 40% PGY-3/4, 30% VN fellows, and 8% NI or NCC fellows. Eighty-seven percent of trainees had greater than 2 months exposure to VN during residency, 41% to NCC and only 3% to NI. Sixty-eight percent of respondents had no exposure to NI during residency. While 72% felt that a background in Neurology was good preparation for NI, only 41% agreed that fellowship training pathway in NI is well structured for Neurology residents when compared to other sub-specialties.

Conclusion In this survey, respondents identified lack of exposure to NI and a well-defined training pathway as obstacles towards pursuing NI as a career. These obstacles must be addressed for the continued development of NI as a sub-specialty of Neurology.