Academic springboard: The chief resident position correlates with career path in emergency medicine

Abstract

Background:The chief resident role often includes additional administrative and educational experiences beyond those of nonchief senior residents. It is unclear to what extent these experiences influence the postresidency career path of those selected as chief residents. The objective of this study was to evaluate the association of chief resident status on immediate postresidency career characteristics relative to nonchief residents in emergency medicine (EM). Methods:We retrospectively analyzed graduate data from 2016 to 2020 at six accredited EM residency programs. Participating sites were geographically diverse and included 3-and 4-year training formats. Each site abstracted data using a standardized form including program, year of graduation, chief resident status, publications during residency, and immediate postresidency position (academic vs. nonacademic).We calculated descriptive statistics and performed logistic regression to explore differences between the chief resident cohort and other graduates. Results:We gathered information on 365 total graduates (45.8% from 3-year programs and 54.2% from 4-year programs) including 93 (25.5%) chief residents. A total of 129 (35%) graduates assumed an academic position immediately following residency. Fifty-six (60%) of 93 chief residents assumed an academic position immediately following residency, compared to 74 (27%) of 272 other graduates. After program, year of graduation, and number of publications completed during residency were controlled for, chief resident status was a significant predictor of immediate postresidency academic career (odds ratio for a chief resident assuming an academic job = 5.36, 95% confidence interval = 3.10 to 9.27). Conclusion:The chief resident role within EM is significantly associated with pursuit of an academic position immediately following residency compared to nonchiefs.

The selection of chief residents across residency programs at a large academic medical center

“…Prioritizing inclusivity and limiting biases expands the candidate pool, promotes selection transparency, and may increase the chance of selecting the strongest candidate to fill these important educational leadership roles. Because some CRs remain involved academic medicine, [ 4 , 8 ] placing greater emphasis on equity and diversity may help to retain and expand cohorts that have traditionally been underrepresented on the faculty [ 20 , 21 ].…”

“…Despite limited leadership experience in academic medicine, [ 5 – 7 ] chief residents are placed in a unique position to advocate for the wellbeing and working conditions of the house staff. Notable, a majority of chief residents in some specialties – including Pediatrics and Emergency Medicine - continue their commitment to the training of physicians by remaining engaged in academia and careers that keep them involved in education and scholarship [ 4 , 8 ].…”

Chief Resident Election of Emergency Department (CREED) – An innovative approach to fair and bias-free chief resident selection in a residency program

“…role. 2 It is a position that is achieved based on seniority and demands attributes of leadership, collaboration, communication, and critical thinking. The importance of this role in emergency medicine is more important in a developing country residency program where the candidate must oversee multiple fronts like; the physical & mental well-being of peers, academics, career prospects, and weak health systems infrastructure that gives the reason for making selection process looking not just academics or seniority-based but other non-clinical skills as well.…”

The Prevalence and Distribution of Osteopathic Chief Residents in Emergency Medicine

“…Residents serving in this role often receive additional training and hone leadership and administrative skills that are beneficial to their career pursuits [2]. The position helps prepare trainees for future academic roles and is associated with an increased likelihood of a career in academic medicine [2,4]. Chief residents are typically selected based on multiple factors, including program director, faculty, and co-resident input.…”