The Rookie Goes to Bat: Is there a “July Effect” on Stroke Treatment at Teaching Hospitals?

Historically, July 1st is the infamous date when, each year, newly graduated doctors (formerly medical students a few hours ago on June 30) start their internship and junior residents advance into senior roles. Along with the excitement and nervousness of students morphing into resident doctors emerges the “July Effect (JE),” a concept that patient outcomes are worse during this transition.1 The mantra of “Don’t get sick in July” emanates from this annual rite of passage—as seasoned, graduating residents are suddenly replaced by relatively inexperienced newbies