Neurology residency training programs in the United States

Area of Science:

• Medical Education
• Neurology Training
• Graduate Medical Education

Background:

• Neurology residency programs are crucial for training future neurologists.
• Understanding the landscape of these programs is essential for workforce planning.
• Data on faculty, trainees, and program sponsorship provides insight into the field's structure.

Purpose of the Study:

• To survey neurology residency training programs in the United States.
• To gather data on faculty numbers, trainee demographics, and program sponsorship.
• To project future production of fourth-year postgraduates (PG4s) in neurology.

Main Methods:

• Survey of 127 neurology residency training programs in the US.
• Data collection on program sponsorship, faculty size and status, and trainee numbers and demographics.
• Analysis of historical and projected numbers of fourth-year postgraduates (PG4s).

Main Results:

• 80% of surveyed neurology programs are sponsored by medical schools.
• In 1982, there were 2,700 MD neurology faculty (3/5 full-time) and 1,300 trainees (21% women, 3% DO).
• Projected PG4 production for 1984-1990 is significantly lower than historical output (estimated 3,000 vs. projected 2,400).

Conclusions:

• The majority of US neurology residency programs are integrated within medical schools.
• The neurology workforce in 1982 comprised a substantial faculty and trainee pool.
• There is an anticipated decline in the number of neurology trainees completing their postgraduate year 4 (PG4) in the coming years.