- Joined
- Sep 28, 2004
- Messages
- 119
- Reaction score
- 0
Hey, guys, just curious about these 2 programs...Thanks.
Thanks for the Yale advice..how about Hopkins and Allegheny General
- Thread starter hello23
- Start date
- Joined
- Nov 5, 2003
- Messages
- 1,516
- Reaction score
- 233
Hopkins is just an incredible environment. The pathology is diverse, acute, and a complete high-volume mix of everything. We train at four facilities, including Maryland Shock Trauma. Salary and Benefits are excellent and the city of Baltimore can't be beat. Looking back at everything, I don't think I could have been happier anywhere else. Please read a review of this program at scutwork.com...
I spent a month in the Hopkins ED and had an unpleasant experience and would be hard-pressed to recommend the place.
Reasons:
1. treated MISERABLY by the other departments (and I mean, I'm used to normal abuse from med/surg) but at Hopkins the ED is juSt treaTed likE craP (I watched in amazement as an EM attending plead to have a patient admitted)
2. a lot of HIV, HEPC, & heroin addicts--hardly diverse in my experience (if yr not aware, Baltimore has a little heroin problem)
3. uptight administration in high-pressure environment, have heard attendings grumble about pressure to produce
4. ever spend anytime in baltimore? hopkins is half-hospital, half-maximum security prison
5. some pretty unhappy EM nurses (you know what that means)
6. trivially: worst hospital caf I've ever encountered, and you can only eat so much Subway
Anyway, I'm happy for the intern who is having a great time; when I was there the residents I worked with weren't so uniformly happy (except on interview days, when they swore up and down how great Hopkins is for EM).
Caveat REsident
Reasons:
1. treated MISERABLY by the other departments (and I mean, I'm used to normal abuse from med/surg) but at Hopkins the ED is juSt treaTed likE craP (I watched in amazement as an EM attending plead to have a patient admitted)
2. a lot of HIV, HEPC, & heroin addicts--hardly diverse in my experience (if yr not aware, Baltimore has a little heroin problem)
3. uptight administration in high-pressure environment, have heard attendings grumble about pressure to produce
4. ever spend anytime in baltimore? hopkins is half-hospital, half-maximum security prison
5. some pretty unhappy EM nurses (you know what that means)
6. trivially: worst hospital caf I've ever encountered, and you can only eat so much Subway
Anyway, I'm happy for the intern who is having a great time; when I was there the residents I worked with weren't so uniformly happy (except on interview days, when they swore up and down how great Hopkins is for EM).
Caveat REsident
NinerNiner999 said:
- Joined
- Nov 5, 2003
- Messages
- 1,516
- Reaction score
- 233
I'm sorry your experience was so unpleasant - perhaps you were only exposed to one hospital (JHH) which can be a little rough at times. If you have ever worked in another inner city, urban, academic center, I'm sure you encountered many of the same things - and probably much worse on any given day.
JHH is only one of four hospitals we rotate through, including Bayview Hospital, and Howard County Hospital, which are both community hospitals with private community staff. We also rotate at the University of Maryland Shock Trauma center, which is probably the best trauma experience on the east coast. So, let me add it up - inner city hospital with inner city pathology and mentality, inner city community hospital with private services and friendly happy staff, suburban community hospital with cush lifestyle and affluent patients, and world-renowed trauma training. Did I leave anything out?
The previous poster's month may have been limited and a bad experience for him or her, but I doubt anyone from Hopkins will ever have any trouble in whichever setting they choose to practice. Hey - I guess residency is what you make of it after all...
JHH is only one of four hospitals we rotate through, including Bayview Hospital, and Howard County Hospital, which are both community hospitals with private community staff. We also rotate at the University of Maryland Shock Trauma center, which is probably the best trauma experience on the east coast. So, let me add it up - inner city hospital with inner city pathology and mentality, inner city community hospital with private services and friendly happy staff, suburban community hospital with cush lifestyle and affluent patients, and world-renowed trauma training. Did I leave anything out?
The previous poster's month may have been limited and a bad experience for him or her, but I doubt anyone from Hopkins will ever have any trouble in whichever setting they choose to practice. Hey - I guess residency is what you make of it after all...
- Joined
- Dec 31, 2004
- Messages
- 15
- Reaction score
- 0
I have to agree with Danj...I just interviewed at Hopkins and the program really didn't strike me as being impressive at all. The day started off describing to the security guard how I had an interview (while standing there, at the main entrance in my three piece suit) at the department of emergency medicine and that I was not infact a terrorist there to take over the hospital...after that argument they "agreed" to escort me down the hall to the department. We met in the department, nothing started until 9:30 although the day was said to start at 9am and it started with the program director getting up on his high hoarse and talking about medicine from the inception of medicine and how we "4th year medical students" were a commodity of the health care industry and how medicine was a service industry. During this dissertation, we learned nothing about the department...zero, nadda, zippo, zilch, negative ghost rider the pattern is full...
Then I had three interviews and it warmed my heart that I had traveled for hours and spent a lot of $$$ to interview there and 0 of the three interviewers I had read my file. One of them apologized to me when we went into his office because he was going to be flipping through my application while we spoke. The other two defaulted to "tell me about yourself" and one of them came right out and said (and I quote) "no, actually I didn't receive a copy of your application."
I met three residents during the day who may I add seemed to be happy there. No arguing that point. I have to admit that 3 is not a significant power to ascertain the quality of a program however 2 of them seemed...what's the word I'm looking for? I think it's ditzy (sp?). One of them would not stop talking about how she "married well" and I'm soooo not kidding.
We finally ate lunch about 2:30 pm...no I'm not kidding. We were told the "lunch vendor" had mixed up days so they ordered pizza. No I am not kidding. 6 hours after arriving, we finally had lunch...pizza from a local pizzeria (which may I add was good, but 6 hours after arriving I would have settled on eating my arm because I was soooo hungry.)
Then the tour of department. The brought out the famously outdated white board, there is one PACS unit, everything is paper...there are no computers. Orders, notes everything is by hand, which is okay for some, however I appreciate the ease of patient care that comes with being able to use a computer for notes and labs.
The physical plant itself was old and worn, poorly lighted, patients in hall ways. very very very unimpressive. The hospital is like a high security prison and is in a very bad neighborhood. This is similar to the level 1 center I did my electives at so this was not so alarming to me, but maybe to some.
So, if you have too many interviews scheduled and want to save some money because these people have no interest in who you are, don't read your application and have only a rather lack luster program, I would suggest canceling this one!
Then I had three interviews and it warmed my heart that I had traveled for hours and spent a lot of $$$ to interview there and 0 of the three interviewers I had read my file. One of them apologized to me when we went into his office because he was going to be flipping through my application while we spoke. The other two defaulted to "tell me about yourself" and one of them came right out and said (and I quote) "no, actually I didn't receive a copy of your application."
I met three residents during the day who may I add seemed to be happy there. No arguing that point. I have to admit that 3 is not a significant power to ascertain the quality of a program however 2 of them seemed...what's the word I'm looking for? I think it's ditzy (sp?). One of them would not stop talking about how she "married well" and I'm soooo not kidding.
We finally ate lunch about 2:30 pm...no I'm not kidding. We were told the "lunch vendor" had mixed up days so they ordered pizza. No I am not kidding. 6 hours after arriving, we finally had lunch...pizza from a local pizzeria (which may I add was good, but 6 hours after arriving I would have settled on eating my arm because I was soooo hungry.)
Then the tour of department. The brought out the famously outdated white board, there is one PACS unit, everything is paper...there are no computers. Orders, notes everything is by hand, which is okay for some, however I appreciate the ease of patient care that comes with being able to use a computer for notes and labs.
The physical plant itself was old and worn, poorly lighted, patients in hall ways. very very very unimpressive. The hospital is like a high security prison and is in a very bad neighborhood. This is similar to the level 1 center I did my electives at so this was not so alarming to me, but maybe to some.
So, if you have too many interviews scheduled and want to save some money because these people have no interest in who you are, don't read your application and have only a rather lack luster program, I would suggest canceling this one!
- Joined
- Nov 5, 2003
- Messages
- 1,516
- Reaction score
- 233
TraumaJunkie said:
Our program director has been hoarse for a while now but I think his cough took care of it. Seriously, his presentation must not have struck you well, since it was a major selling point for those of us who matched there. Perhaps if you had read his bio, or taken the time to talk with him personally (as you expected us to do with YOUR application) you may have seen that he is actually quite personable and humble.
TraumaJunkie said:
You will find (or may have already discovered) that each program handles their application process differently. Hopkins is a unique institution in that once you get past the application stage, it's actually up to you to sell yourself without interviewers knowing you before you step into their room. Those that granted you an interview already screened your application and felt confident in their choice to have you interview with the blind panel. I know that selling yourself can be a chore at times, especially after 10-15 interviews, but it really lets us know what KIND of person you are rather than what your application says you have done. I hope our program was one of your early interviews.
TraumaJunkie said:
Seeing as we really have not managed to do anything right for you so far during this interview day, I will assume you really don't plan on matching here. Putting your insults aside, residents at Hopkins are extremely satisfied with this program and I'm glad you thought they were ditzy. At least they were themselves and not putting on the typical interview act that other programs do.
TraumaJunkie said:
I'm not kidding either - I'm sorry your day was so miserable and that it cost you alot of money to visit our program. Perhaps if you had a chance to go to the Pub the night before the interview, you would have met more residents, been a little more relaxed, and had the courtesy to give us a chance like we did when we extended you an interview invitation. I remember the lunch mix-up and there were many faculty and residents (who you would have met if things were on time) who didn't get to eat lunch that day either. I'm sorry your hunger got in the way of giving us a chance.
TraumaJunkie said:
After all of your poor experiences that you yourself say relate to things like applications, pizza lunches, and travel inconvenience, I would hope you could elaborate more as to why our program, one of the oldest and largest in the country, was merely lackluster. I'm not trying to be rude, just trying to piece together what you honestly expected. We have nothing but interest in who you are - that's why your application was chosen for an interview. We thought that by giving you an invitation to meet us it was expected we wanted to know you better. I hope you gave us more than your application during your three interviews.
Seriously, I wish you luck in matching at the program that fits you best and I'm sorry ours was not what you had hoped for.
- Joined
- Jun 10, 2004
- Messages
- 352
- Reaction score
- 3
hmmm... I feel compelled to write something positive about Hopkins. 
I had a good interview visit. The day started on schedule, the interviewers all read my file, and the food was timely...
Unlike the previous poster, I rather enjoyed the PD's talk in the AM. Hopkins was only one of two places that even bothered mentioning their mission statement, vision, and key program goals. Everyone talks about specific program objectives, but that's stuff you can find on websites or ask residents about. I suppose I've been part of different organizations in the past that have been rather mission- and goal-less, and it's refreshing to be in organizations that seem to have a sense of direction.
The other comment I have is regarding that, due to a number of postings here and other general rumors, I had expected a terrible work environment in terms of relationships with other services, physical plant, and overall resident satisfaction. I spent a couple hours in the ED (obviously not the exposure of a full rotation) and really tried to grill an attending, intern, and surgery med student and my conclusion was that hopkins seemed no different than another other long-standing, academic center... I expected worse than that, so I was satisfied... Also, while touring the ICU, one of the critical care mds talked to us for several minutes, which hasn't happened on any other interview... a small token of commaraderie (did I spell that right?), but I think it shows something...
Oh, plus I had some really really good jigae (korean tofu/kimchi soup) in a hole-in-the-wall korean place later that night which made me happy.
I had a good interview visit. The day started on schedule, the interviewers all read my file, and the food was timely...
Unlike the previous poster, I rather enjoyed the PD's talk in the AM. Hopkins was only one of two places that even bothered mentioning their mission statement, vision, and key program goals. Everyone talks about specific program objectives, but that's stuff you can find on websites or ask residents about. I suppose I've been part of different organizations in the past that have been rather mission- and goal-less, and it's refreshing to be in organizations that seem to have a sense of direction.
The other comment I have is regarding that, due to a number of postings here and other general rumors, I had expected a terrible work environment in terms of relationships with other services, physical plant, and overall resident satisfaction. I spent a couple hours in the ED (obviously not the exposure of a full rotation) and really tried to grill an attending, intern, and surgery med student and my conclusion was that hopkins seemed no different than another other long-standing, academic center... I expected worse than that, so I was satisfied... Also, while touring the ICU, one of the critical care mds talked to us for several minutes, which hasn't happened on any other interview... a small token of commaraderie (did I spell that right?), but I think it shows something...
Oh, plus I had some really really good jigae (korean tofu/kimchi soup) in a hole-in-the-wall korean place later that night which made me happy.
- Joined
- Apr 6, 2000
- Messages
- 1,678
- Reaction score
- 5
"Then the tour of department. The brought out the famously outdated white board, there is one PACS unit, everything is paper...there are no computers. Orders, notes everything is by hand, which is okay for some, however I appreciate the ease of patient care that comes with being able to use a computer for notes and labs.
The physical plant itself was old and worn, poorly lighted, patients in hall ways. very very very unimpressive. The hospital is like a high security prison and is in a very bad neighborhood. This is similar to the level 1 center I did my electives at so this was not so alarming to me, but maybe to some."
Niner,
What's up? I personally am interested in applying to EM at hopkins next year (as well as many others) and was wondering what your response to the above statement about the physical plant and such.......any thoughts? Particularly about only 1 PACS etc...
thanks
The physical plant itself was old and worn, poorly lighted, patients in hall ways. very very very unimpressive. The hospital is like a high security prison and is in a very bad neighborhood. This is similar to the level 1 center I did my electives at so this was not so alarming to me, but maybe to some."
Niner,
What's up? I personally am interested in applying to EM at hopkins next year (as well as many others) and was wondering what your response to the above statement about the physical plant and such.......any thoughts? Particularly about only 1 PACS etc...
thanks
- Joined
- Nov 5, 2003
- Messages
- 1,516
- Reaction score
- 233
Physical plant is above average but far from cutting edge. The layout incorporates a fishbowl design (with 5 glass-door patient rooms) surrounded by three rooms (subacute, acute, and medsurg) which each hold 4-5 patient rooms. There is a separate psychiatric patient section with full-time psychiatry residents, social work, and security. We have installed one Plasma screen with plans to add more for patient tracking. we have two dedicated CT scanners, two radiology suites, and 24 hour radiology staffing for reading all studies. While there is one "pax" computer (i.e. large rectangle screens) in the department, each computer in the department (and throughout the hospital) can pull up every image with all pax tools needed to manipulate and view. The previous poster probably took note of the one system he/she saw on tour and made an incorrect assumption.
That being said, there are computers all over the ED, with computerized lab tracking, graphing capability, and floor order entry. The ED still utilizes paper history and physical charts (which are important training for documentation in today's legal society) and orders. We pride ourselves on taking a very hands-on approach to our practice, which includes manual order writing. In addition, both of our outside departments are less than 5 years old and use the T-system for charting - something the other poster failed to mention and was not seen on tour.
I'm not sure what the above poster suggested about the lighting - it never crossed my mind that we were lacking in this area. I can assure you, we don't practice by candlelight.
The previous poster also mentioned patients in the hallways as being a concern. I am not aware of a level I trauma center in this country that has successfully solved the problem of overflow patients occupying hallways, and, I would expect nothing less due to overcrowding.
Please come visit us for yourself, and take a day or two worth of visit to see our entire program's facilities and how they function - you won't be disappointed.
That being said, there are computers all over the ED, with computerized lab tracking, graphing capability, and floor order entry. The ED still utilizes paper history and physical charts (which are important training for documentation in today's legal society) and orders. We pride ourselves on taking a very hands-on approach to our practice, which includes manual order writing. In addition, both of our outside departments are less than 5 years old and use the T-system for charting - something the other poster failed to mention and was not seen on tour.
I'm not sure what the above poster suggested about the lighting - it never crossed my mind that we were lacking in this area. I can assure you, we don't practice by candlelight.
The previous poster also mentioned patients in the hallways as being a concern. I am not aware of a level I trauma center in this country that has successfully solved the problem of overflow patients occupying hallways, and, I would expect nothing less due to overcrowding.
Please come visit us for yourself, and take a day or two worth of visit to see our entire program's facilities and how they function - you won't be disappointed.
- Joined
- Jan 8, 2005
- Messages
- 146
- Reaction score
- 4
AGH's rep sometimes suffers as the kid stepbrother to UPitt across the river, but it is a great program in its own right. Financial troubles in the recent past have not helped attract candidates to the program, though they say that since Drexel took over, things are improving markedly. Facilities are decent, renovated in '95. x-rays and CTs available on computer, but radiology has their own corner of the ED 24/7, making it easy to sit down and talk the patient over with the radiologist. Charting is by T-sheet and dictation, and all records are available on computer. Residents seemed like a very laid back, tight-knit group, and they speak very well of the program. They are treated well on off-service rotations. EMS is a big part of this program thanks to Dr. Stein, a former paramedic himself who encourages as much involvement as possible among the residents with the paramedic program and services.
Pittsburgh can be a plus or a minus for lifestyle. On the upside: Affordable living, affordable housing, LOTS of theater, art, and music (much of which is free or very cheap). Top 5 "Most Liveable City" many years running. On the downside, it rains a LOT in the fall and spring and is generally grey except in summer, when it is beautiful. (More sunless days than Seattle, but less rain overall) It is rebuilding itself from the downturn of the steel industry there in the 70s and 80s. While some areas still look like scenes from "All the Right Moves", much of the area is reinvented as suburb to what is becoming a vibrant city.
'zilla
Pittsburgh can be a plus or a minus for lifestyle. On the upside: Affordable living, affordable housing, LOTS of theater, art, and music (much of which is free or very cheap). Top 5 "Most Liveable City" many years running. On the downside, it rains a LOT in the fall and spring and is generally grey except in summer, when it is beautiful. (More sunless days than Seattle, but less rain overall) It is rebuilding itself from the downturn of the steel industry there in the 70s and 80s. While some areas still look like scenes from "All the Right Moves", much of the area is reinvented as suburb to what is becoming a vibrant city.
'zilla
- Joined
- Jul 25, 2002
- Messages
- 132
- Reaction score
- 0
I'm at Allegheny now, and love it.
We do have a good group. Lots of camaraderie and great relationships with the attendings. We're treated as equals on off service months, and are respected by all services. The department is getting busier month by month, and the financial troubles are gone. They just replaced almost every computer in the hospital. A new digital radiology system is coming soon (I've heard march '05) and all of the H+P/discharge summary documentation and procedure/op reports are now digital, making workups of frequent fliers easier.
Pittsburgh has actually been a great place to live. It's cheap here, and theres no shortage of things to do whether you're a big city nightlife kind of person or an avid outdoorsman. I came here for 2 reasons, I liked the program and my GF lives here. I haven't regretted the move at all.
If you do come to AGH, don't fall into the "you have to live on the North Shore" trap. South Side, Squirrel Hill, Shadyside, and Bloomfield are all great neighborhoods and you're missing out if you limit yourself to the burbs.
Email me with questions ruscher AT gmail DOT com
We do have a good group. Lots of camaraderie and great relationships with the attendings. We're treated as equals on off service months, and are respected by all services. The department is getting busier month by month, and the financial troubles are gone. They just replaced almost every computer in the hospital. A new digital radiology system is coming soon (I've heard march '05) and all of the H+P/discharge summary documentation and procedure/op reports are now digital, making workups of frequent fliers easier.
Pittsburgh has actually been a great place to live. It's cheap here, and theres no shortage of things to do whether you're a big city nightlife kind of person or an avid outdoorsman. I came here for 2 reasons, I liked the program and my GF lives here. I haven't regretted the move at all.
If you do come to AGH, don't fall into the "you have to live on the North Shore" trap. South Side, Squirrel Hill, Shadyside, and Bloomfield are all great neighborhoods and you're missing out if you limit yourself to the burbs.
Email me with questions ruscher AT gmail DOT com
NinerNiner999 said:
I don't dispute anything you said exept "the city of Baltimore can't be beat." Ordinarily I'd take that as a sarcastic comment, but in the context of an otherwise upbeat message, it sounds as though you're earnest.
And it's preposterous! Baltimore is well-known as "the worst city in America" (and not "The city that reads", as billboards ridiculously advertise - who are they kidding?).
Even those who don't go so far as calling it the worst in America are aware of how famously awful Baltimore is.
I'm sorry, NinerninerMiner2049er, but Baltimore sucks. It just plain sucks.
"I'm sorry, Hornet871, but you sucks. You just plain sucks."
Now you sound like my last girlfriend - which was an odd thing for her to say, considering I never went down on her.
- Joined
- Mar 7, 2003
- Messages
- 1,053
- Reaction score
- 7
"I'm sorry, Hornet871, but you sucks. You just plain sucks."
Now you sound like my last girlfriend - which was an odd thing for her to say, considering I never went down on her.[/QUOTE]
dadgum them sounds like TMI words to me
Now you sound like my last girlfriend - which was an odd thing for her to say, considering I never went down on her.[/QUOTE]
dadgum them sounds like TMI words to me
- Joined
- Nov 24, 2002
- Messages
- 23,791
- Reaction score
- 12,300
Hornet871 said:
Props for the retro reference.
- Joined
- Nov 5, 2003
- Messages
- 1,516
- Reaction score
- 233
Hornet871 said:
Ohhh Hornet - stayed in Baltimore for more than a night? Anyhoo - I betcha its a lot warmer than where you keep your little stinger...
- Joined
- Jan 26, 2003
- Messages
- 1,254
- Reaction score
- 3
Hornet871 said:
By whom?
Personally, I was pleasantly suprised--by the arts, the harbor, the dining, the sports, the cost of living. My biggest complaint is city taxes--and find me a major urban area that doesn't tax its residents out the wazoo. The weather's not even that bad for the East Coast. I've certainly lived in worse places.
- Joined
- Dec 6, 2000
- Messages
- 4,226
- Reaction score
- 17
Hornet871 said:
Two things, dude, did you ever play Niner 2049er? I loved that game on our Atari. In fact I recently sold it on Ebay!
And what's wrong with you, man, you got to give to receive.
Q
- Joined
- Mar 5, 2001
- Messages
- 105
- Reaction score
- 0
Not to complain or anything, but I didn't even receive a response from Hopkins regarding my app this year. I am a DO applicant with a strong app, got plenty of interviews, but not sure whats up with the PD. At least have the common courtesy to respond to an app.
- Joined
- Nov 5, 2003
- Messages
- 1,516
- Reaction score
- 233
AMBinNC said:
Ditto - at least you didn't get the rejection yet. If you want to come, let us know. That speaks much more than the paper sitting in a folder in a pile on a desk.
NinerNiner999 said:
Yep, stayed in Baltiless for more than a night. For more than three years, in fact. Not a big fan. However, my friends and cousins, who lived there much longer than I, tell me that I overrate the city; it's actually much worse than I remember, they promise.
After they closed down Vanguard, the town was never the same. Paper Moon Cafe doesn't do it for me.
- Joined
- Jul 7, 2000
- Messages
- 16
- Reaction score
- 0
The day started off describing to the security guard how I had an interview (while standing there, at the main entrance in my three piece suit) at the department of emergency medicine and that I was not infact a terrorist there to take over the hospital...
Hey TraumaJunkie
In addition to the all the comments that Ninerniner responded to so eloquently, I like to address this comment by you. First of all any hospital and especially an ER entrance these days has security guards. They are there for your protection as well as the patients protection. That is a fact of life. In addition, just because you had a three piece suit on does not have anything to do with what policy security has with letting any person into our ED much like any other ED. I think it is pretentious to think that you were in a suit and thus you should not be questioned as to what your business with the department was. Honestly, these "security guards" will be much appreciated by you when you are on the front lines as a doctor in any ER in the next year. Maybe then you won't think of them as just a "Hopkins concept" or an insult to your three piece suit.
Hey TraumaJunkie
In addition to the all the comments that Ninerniner responded to so eloquently, I like to address this comment by you. First of all any hospital and especially an ER entrance these days has security guards. They are there for your protection as well as the patients protection. That is a fact of life. In addition, just because you had a three piece suit on does not have anything to do with what policy security has with letting any person into our ED much like any other ED. I think it is pretentious to think that you were in a suit and thus you should not be questioned as to what your business with the department was. Honestly, these "security guards" will be much appreciated by you when you are on the front lines as a doctor in any ER in the next year. Maybe then you won't think of them as just a "Hopkins concept" or an insult to your three piece suit.
- Joined
- Dec 31, 2004
- Messages
- 15
- Reaction score
- 0
Well, I avoided posting again to prevent a flame war, but here we go. I totally agree that the security folk are there for our and everyone else's protection, but I was not referring solely to the ER entrance. I checked out the hospital the night before and went through the main entrance and another entrance to the building trying to find the cafeteria...the impression that I got was that Hopkins wasn't so much a hospital, but to quote a previous poster, it seemed more like a high security prison. I met the same conditions throughout the hospital. To be escorted down a 50 foot hall and security at every orifice of the building seems somewhat unsettling to me even though I'm sure others would quote...every level I urban trauma center has security problems blah blah blah....but, I've never seen a hospital "locked down" to that extent.
I'm not kidding either - I'm sorry your day was so miserable and that it cost you a lot of money to visit our program. Perhaps if you had a chance to go to the Pub the night before the interview, you would have met more residents, been a little more relaxed, and had the courtesy to give us a chance like we did when we extended you an interview invitation. I remember the lunch mix-up and there were many faculty and residents (who you would have met if things were on time) who didn't get to eat lunch that day either. I'm sorry your hunger got in the way of giving us a chance.
So NinerNiner999, you make it sound like you single handedly swept in an gave me an invitation to interview. Thanks!
My hunger didn't get in the way "of giving me a chance", ya, it probably made me somewhat grumpier as my liver shifted into glycosis and I started burning fat and out came the mind altering lactic acid and ketones. What it did show me is that (and I'm not referring specifically to the late lunch, the late program director and/or the need to convince the security staff that in fact I did have an interview with the emergency department) is that things at your program seem somewhat disorganized. Ohhh man, I know that one is going to get me flamed, but oh well. With only a snapshot of the day, it's the small things like that which stand out. Should I base your programs organization by the above factor? Probably not, but honestly...what else do I have to compare it to?....how other programs run their interview days!
I did not have a chance to go out with the residents the night before, because there was no dinner the night before my interview. It was the night after the interview which after the days events, I was less than interested in attending.
I'm sorry if you don't agree with the above. It is unfair that I only have a 6 hour snapshot to gauge your program, all I was saying in my original post was that compared to the 6 hour or so snapshot I got from other programs, the Hopkins program was disappointing, lacking in organization and had outdated physical plant, lack of computer charting which is easier, quicker, cheaper in the long run (easier for departments to bill for) and safer for patients by reducing errors. That line you posted earlier about how Hopkins prides itself on still writing everything because of today's medicolegal environment was hilarious....but if that's what you need to tell yourself, that's fine.
In response to crowding in the hallways you responded, "I am not aware of a level I trauma center in this country that has successfully solved the problem of overflow patients occupying hallways, and, I would expect nothing less due to overcrowding."
My program has solved that...it's called fast track. Our program made it a point to stop this practice because patients/beds in the hallway were considered a fire hazard by our institution, rather their presence posed an escape hazard.
Call me old fashioned, but I don't buy any of that "you already made the cut, we just want to get to know you crap." Like I said above and will continue to say, we (interviewers) spend a lot of money per interview for plane tickets, hotel accommodations and food, etc. and to me, it's as offensive as hell to walk into an interview with an interviewer who has no idea who you are, where you've come from, what you've done or accomplished and why you're qualified, to be greeted with "well, I actually didn't read you application so tell me about yourself." Sorry...it's just me personally, I find it offensive to be treated as such and I'm sure you disagree so maybe we can agree on disagreeing.
"the city of Baltimore can't be beat." - see above posts. I'm not even going to try arguing that one...it just sucks.
Let the flamming begin...
I'm not kidding either - I'm sorry your day was so miserable and that it cost you a lot of money to visit our program. Perhaps if you had a chance to go to the Pub the night before the interview, you would have met more residents, been a little more relaxed, and had the courtesy to give us a chance like we did when we extended you an interview invitation. I remember the lunch mix-up and there were many faculty and residents (who you would have met if things were on time) who didn't get to eat lunch that day either. I'm sorry your hunger got in the way of giving us a chance.
So NinerNiner999, you make it sound like you single handedly swept in an gave me an invitation to interview. Thanks!
My hunger didn't get in the way "of giving me a chance", ya, it probably made me somewhat grumpier as my liver shifted into glycosis and I started burning fat and out came the mind altering lactic acid and ketones. What it did show me is that (and I'm not referring specifically to the late lunch, the late program director and/or the need to convince the security staff that in fact I did have an interview with the emergency department) is that things at your program seem somewhat disorganized. Ohhh man, I know that one is going to get me flamed, but oh well. With only a snapshot of the day, it's the small things like that which stand out. Should I base your programs organization by the above factor? Probably not, but honestly...what else do I have to compare it to?....how other programs run their interview days!
I did not have a chance to go out with the residents the night before, because there was no dinner the night before my interview. It was the night after the interview which after the days events, I was less than interested in attending.
I'm sorry if you don't agree with the above. It is unfair that I only have a 6 hour snapshot to gauge your program, all I was saying in my original post was that compared to the 6 hour or so snapshot I got from other programs, the Hopkins program was disappointing, lacking in organization and had outdated physical plant, lack of computer charting which is easier, quicker, cheaper in the long run (easier for departments to bill for) and safer for patients by reducing errors. That line you posted earlier about how Hopkins prides itself on still writing everything because of today's medicolegal environment was hilarious....but if that's what you need to tell yourself, that's fine.
In response to crowding in the hallways you responded, "I am not aware of a level I trauma center in this country that has successfully solved the problem of overflow patients occupying hallways, and, I would expect nothing less due to overcrowding."
My program has solved that...it's called fast track. Our program made it a point to stop this practice because patients/beds in the hallway were considered a fire hazard by our institution, rather their presence posed an escape hazard.
Call me old fashioned, but I don't buy any of that "you already made the cut, we just want to get to know you crap." Like I said above and will continue to say, we (interviewers) spend a lot of money per interview for plane tickets, hotel accommodations and food, etc. and to me, it's as offensive as hell to walk into an interview with an interviewer who has no idea who you are, where you've come from, what you've done or accomplished and why you're qualified, to be greeted with "well, I actually didn't read you application so tell me about yourself." Sorry...it's just me personally, I find it offensive to be treated as such and I'm sure you disagree so maybe we can agree on disagreeing.
"the city of Baltimore can't be beat." - see above posts. I'm not even going to try arguing that one...it just sucks.
Let the flamming begin...
- Joined
- Jul 7, 2000
- Messages
- 16
- Reaction score
- 0
Hey buddy relax,
I am glad that you felt so strongly about all of this stuff about security guards, lunches, paper charting, brand new facilities, etc. Let me give you a piece of advice about all of that. I hope you find a hospital that has everything computerized, not a security guard in site, free lunch every day, brand spanking walls with the latest technology. You are missing the big picture about what makes a resiodency program strong and your experience a worthwhile one. It is your patient population and your colleagues, faculty and residents alike. So, while you find your ideal conditions to work in, let me know next year how happy you are with the shiny new walls and your warm buffet. You are missing the whole point of interviewing and finding your connection with a group of people but that it OK. I just feel bad for everyone else who is reading your whinning and then making your whiny criteria to be what makes a good residency program. I love my program and its patient population and most of all the people that I start a shift every day with. As for you, I hope you realized what truly matters sooner than latter. FYI, if your hospital has soved ED overcrowding by all means please publish some data and get on the lecture circuit so that we can all benefit from it. Good luck dude.
I am glad that you felt so strongly about all of this stuff about security guards, lunches, paper charting, brand new facilities, etc. Let me give you a piece of advice about all of that. I hope you find a hospital that has everything computerized, not a security guard in site, free lunch every day, brand spanking walls with the latest technology. You are missing the big picture about what makes a resiodency program strong and your experience a worthwhile one. It is your patient population and your colleagues, faculty and residents alike. So, while you find your ideal conditions to work in, let me know next year how happy you are with the shiny new walls and your warm buffet. You are missing the whole point of interviewing and finding your connection with a group of people but that it OK. I just feel bad for everyone else who is reading your whinning and then making your whiny criteria to be what makes a good residency program. I love my program and its patient population and most of all the people that I start a shift every day with. As for you, I hope you realized what truly matters sooner than latter. FYI, if your hospital has soved ED overcrowding by all means please publish some data and get on the lecture circuit so that we can all benefit from it. Good luck dude.
- Joined
- Nov 5, 2003
- Messages
- 1,516
- Reaction score
- 233
Rookie said:
I would respond but I'm too busy cleaning up the floor from where I just lost my urine.
Ummmm, Buffet.Similar threads
