Part-time radiology trainees 50% less likely to pass boards the first time
Radiology trainees whose clinical and academic commitments are part-time may struggle to pass their boards when compared to full-time counterparts.
In fact, part-time trainees are less than half as likely to pass their exams, according to new research published in Clinical Radiology. In the United Kingdom, the amount of less-than-full-time (LTFT) trainees has been steadily increasing and is expected to continue to do so in the coming years, making the study’s findings a concern for radiology educators, authors of the paper indicated.
“While LTFT training has been shown to have a positive impact on trainee work-life balance and choosing to remain in training, it is not without drawbacks,” corresponding author Jina Pakpoor, with University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, and colleagues noted. “Several survey studies have shown that LTFT trainees face a multitude of additional barriers. These include reduced training opportunities, bullying, stigma, lack of senior support, and discrimination for job appointments.”
As of 2022, up to 20% of radiology trainees in the National Health Service were considered part-time. The pathway was created as a way to foster a more supportive environment for trainees with families and other extenuating circumstances in the hopes that doing so would help encourage them to see their education through. Offering part-time training options also opens the door for individuals who might have otherwise been unable to pursue a career in radiology.
While many may consider this option as beneficial, the authors’ analysis indicates that it could also put trainees at a disadvantage when it comes to their final radiology exams.
Just 43% of the part-time trainees included in the analysis passed their first attempt at the 2A exam. Without a passing score on this exam, residents cannot move on to their next year of radiology training.
Female trainees may be especially vulnerable, the group noted. Women accounted for a significantly larger portion of the thousands of LTFT trainees studied, as did individuals over the age of 34. This finding coincides with the primary reason LTFT trainees choose to take a longer route to certification—issues related to childcare.
Part-time residents complete the same amount of required clinical hours and courses as their full-time counterparts. Despite this, they are at risk of missing invaluable training sessions and opportunities to collaborate with program leaders. Considering the global shortage of radiologists, it is important that anyone working to complete their radiology education be given the support to do so, regardless of whether they are training part- or full-time, the group suggested.
“LTFT trainees may benefit from being included as part of national and local efforts to facilitate equity in training,” the group wrote. “This will be of increasing importance as the proportion of LTFT trainees is expected to continue to expand with recent widening of eligibility.”
Learn more about the study’s findings here.
In addition to her background in journalism, Hannah also has patient-facing experience in clinical settings, having spent more than 12 years working as a registered rad tech. She began covering the medical imaging industry for Innovate Healthcare in 2021.