The American Board of Radiology (ABR) said it's considering an increase in the amount of annual leave residents can take over the course of their training and still be able to graduate on time.
The new residency leave policy is being developed in response to a mandate by the American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS) that individual specialty boards establish clear limits on how much time away from training is permissible before training must be extended beyond the anticipated graduation date, according to the board.
The ABR said that recent external and internal discussions have supported an increase above its historic limit of 30 workdays per year to include vacation and other leave. One option that has received broad support is 35 workdays of leave per year, averaged over the length of a four-year residency, according to the board. That would be the equivalent of four weeks of vacation per year, plus 12 weeks for parental, caregiver, and medical leave as outlined in the ABMS policy.
The board noted that it recognizes individual programs and institutions will not be bound by ABR policy and may choose to grant more or less time off per year or provide paid or unpaid leave. The ABR is welcoming feedback on the residency leave policy through the end of April on its website.
