BackTable / VI / Podcast / Episode #417

IR Training: Perspectives & Expectations

with Dr. Thomas Sullivan

In this episode of the BackTable Podcast, host Dr. Aaron Fritts interviews guest Dr. Thomas Sullivan about the findings from a recent survey exploring the reasons behind professional job changes among interventional radiologists. Dr. Sullivan is the Assistant Program Director of Diagnostic and Integrated Interventional Radiology Residency programs at Wake Forest University.

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Podcast Contributors

Dr. Thomas Sullivan

Dr. Thomas Sullivan is an assistant professor of radiology and an ADP of diagnostic radiology residency and integrated IR residency at Wake Forest in Winstom-Salem, North Carolina.

Dr. Aaron Fritts

Dr. Aaron Fritts is a Co-Founder of BackTable and a practicing interventional radiologist in Dallas, Texas.

Synopsis

Dr. Sullivan highlights the importance of mentorship during residency and notes the huge impact of geography and financial compensation in determining job satisfaction and longevity in a role. He also discusses some surprising insights about trainee expectations of future practice settings, the need for a variety in practice caseload, and the desire for about 80% of clinical time to be spent on dedicated IR activities. The conversation also delves into the challenges of equipping residents for rural practice and the potential value of developing a procedural radiology curriculum. Dr. Sullivan anticipates that the survey results will help improve and adapt training paradigms to better align with the evolving landscape of interventional radiology practice.

Timestamps

00:00 - Introduction
02:50 - Discussion on IR Training and Practice
04:51 - Survey Discussion and Key Findings
16:47 - Importance of Diagnostic Skills in IR
19:01 - Deciding Factors for First Job After Training
21:04 - Need for Medical Services in Rural Settings
25:23 - Role of Mentorship in Job Seeking
28:21 - Importance of Networking in Career Development
32:37 - Future of IR Training and Practice
38:23 - Role of BackTable in IR Training

Resources

SIR 2024 Monday Session (3:27 PM - 3:36 PM MT): Trainee perceptions of current IR workforce: Are we setting our residents up for failure? With Dr. Thomas Sullivan:
https://www.sirmeeting.org/fsPopup.asp?PresentationID=1348792&mode=presInfo

Disclaimer: The Materials available on BackTable.com are for informational and educational purposes only and are not a substitute for the professional judgment of a healthcare professional in diagnosing and treating patients. The opinions expressed by participants of the BackTable Podcast belong solely to the participants, and do not necessarily reflect the views of BackTable.

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Topics

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