Neurology is Humbling: Lessons and Reflections on Training Shared by Residents and Attending Physicians
Daniella Iglesias Hernández1, Lindsay Tetreault2, Elina Zakin1
1Department of Neurology, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, 2Department of Neurology, Harvard Medical School
Objective:
Outline the shared experience of the PGY-2 year by describing (1) common challenges, (2) effective learning strategies, (3) resilient tools, and (4) lessons on clinical practice.
Background:
The first year of neurology training (PGY-2) is often challenging due to demanding curricula, academic responsibilities, and clinical duties. Residents may believe these challenges are unique to their own experience, a mindset that can contribute to burnout. However, these struggles are common across cohorts and reflects a shared experience. Insights from colleagues who successfully navigated the transition year can support trainees’ introspection, challenge management, and professional growth.
Design/Methods:
Attending physicians, as well as third (PGY-3) and fourth (PGY-4) year residents completed semi-structured interviews. Eight questions evaluated four domains of their PGY-2 experience: challenges, approach to learning, tools for resiliency, and lessons on clinical practice that included sharing meaningful patient interactions and reflecting on the phrase “neurology is humbling”. Interviews took place until theme saturation. Common themes were identified through qualitative analysis.
Results:
Ten residents (PGY-3/PGY-4) and 12 attending physicians were interviewed. The themes in challenges included limited time for reading, burnout, and feeling inadequate in neurology after thriving as internal medicine residents. For learning strategies, common approaches were structured reading and case-based learning. Tools of resiliency included spending time with loved ones, sharing difficulties with coresident, and finding meaning in helping patients. Themes in clinical interactions highlighted cases that proved trainee’s impact on patient recovery. Final reflections described “neurology is humbling” as a reminder that the field fosters curiosity, lifelong learning, and the awareness that its vastness exceeds any one person’s expertise.
Conclusions:
Residents face challenges in their first year of neurology training. This study identified common themes that are consistent in time and across different levels of training. Discussing this shared experience with early trainees (i.e. PGY2) may benefit them in promoting well-being and professional growth.
Disclaimer: Abstracts were not reviewed by Neurology® and do not reflect the views of Neurology® editors or staff.