The 5-in-6 Pathway: Flexible Surgical Residency Training Explained

Understanding the 5-in-6 Pathway

• 💡 The 5-in-6 pathway allows surgical residents to complete five years of training over six calendar years, offering flexibility for personal, family, or professional reasons.
• 🎯 This pathway differs from traditional research years by spreading the extra time across the five years, providing more adaptable leave.
• 🔑 It was formalized in 2011 by the American Board of Surgery (ABS) to acknowledge that life events (children, family care, personal illness) happen during critical training years.

Navigating Residency Flexibility

• 🚀 Dr. Bridget Olsen, a current participant, found the pathway beneficial for research and personal time, emphasizing the need for schedule regimentation using tools like spreadsheets.
• 💬 Dr. Olsen highlighted that the pathway allows residents to take ownership of their education and requires proactive communication with scheduling chiefs and program directors.
• 🗓️ The ABS has minimal rules for the pathway, primarily stating that when a resident is