Proposed ACGME change in length of radiology residency training before independent call: results of a survey of program directors and chief residents

To assess radiology residency program directors' and chief residents' views regarding the Radiology Residency Review Committee's proposed revision of program requirements which would delay independent call until a resident has had 12 months of radiology training. A Web-based survey was distributed electronically to the program directors and chief residents of 188 radiology residency programs. Survey responses were collected for two weeks in November-December 2006. The survey was completed by 91 Program Directors and 165 Chief Residents. There were no statistically significant differences between the two groups of respondents on any of the 9 questions pertaining to the proposed call requirement change. Approximately 70% of the program directors and 80% of the chief residents disagreed or disagreed strongly that they were in favor of the proposed ACGME change. Strong opposition to the change was independent of both program size and current compliance with the proposed change. Over 70% in both groups disagree or strongly disagree that the proposed change would positively affect residency training. The majority of survey respondents oppose changing the minimum required length of radiology residency training prior to residents' providing independent on-call radiology interpretations from 6 months to 12 months.