The impact of covid-19 on interventional radiology training programs: what you need to know

Abstract

The current COVID-19 pandemic has impacted residency training programs and trainees in all medical specialties, including interventional radiology (IR) and has already resulted in significant disruptions in graduate medical education. It is necessary for IR departments to balance the mandate for social distancing to slow disease spread, while still maintaining the workforce needed to provide clinical care to patients. Flexibility is paramount in these difficult times, with the burden placed by the COVID-19 pandemic on the healthcare system demanding adjustments in resident and fellow scheduling, reevaluation of trainee expectations and duties, and an appraisal of the residency graduation requirements. While the COVID-19 pandemic has affected every level of training, the disruptions pertinent to IR trainees necessitate a discussion on two topics: (1) impact on IR applicants and the NRMP Match process, and (2) impact on IR and ESIR residents