Challenges and Benefits of Residency Away Rotations: Trainee Perspectives

Away rotations offer residents invaluable clinical experience and networking opportunities but also present personal challenges such as feelings of isolation and stress, decreased social support, and negative familial impact, which are risk factors for physician burnout. Although most military anesthesiology residents reported positive experiences, support systems for personal hardships, adverse patient outcomes, familial obligations, and mental/physical health are needed. Future research should focus on mitigating personal consequences and mechanisms to balance residents' wellness and educational attainment. Military training programs are uniquely positioned to lead such efforts, given their reliance on away rotations.