California EM programs - ask Qs

[Babycatsinabag]

Hi people, I remember being a scared little pup last year trying to figure out what my life would be like and interviews and everything. I was lucky enough to interview with several CA places and to end up in an amazing program in CA (in my eyes the best one, but there is such thing as Stockholm syndrome lol)
In any case, feel free to ask about CA programs, I visited many, feel free to send me questions about intern year in general or the interview process and what to expect. I'm on vacay week right now and talking to my still 4th year friends made me realize what a stressful month this was. Remember to always obtain basic info like the number of hours per shift, wellness interventions, vacation time, pay, interaction with upper class-men, overall mission, commute between places. ALL these things matter quite a bit.

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[jw3600]

Hi people, I remember being a scared little pup last year trying to figure out what my life would be like and interviews and everything. I was lucky enough to interview with several CA places and to end up in an amazing program in CA (in my eyes the best one, but there is such thing as Stockholm syndrome lol)
In any case, feel free to ask about CA programs, I visited many, feel free to send me questions about intern year in general or the interview process and what to expect. I'm on vacay week right now and talking to my still 4th year friends made me realize what a stressful month this was. Remember to always obtain basic info like the number of hours per shift, wellness interventions, vacation time, pay, interaction with upper class-men, overall mission, commute between places. ALL these things matter quite a bit.

Overall mission? Are you serious?

 

[Jabbed]

Hi people, I remember being a scared little pup last year trying to figure out what my life would be like and interviews and everything. I was lucky enough to interview with several CA places and to end up in an amazing program in CA (in my eyes the best one, but there is such thing as Stockholm syndrome lol)
In any case, feel free to ask about CA programs, I visited many, feel free to send me questions about intern year in general or the interview process and what to expect. I'm on vacay week right now and talking to my still 4th year friends made me realize what a stressful month this was. Remember to always obtain basic info like the number of hours per shift, wellness interventions, vacation time, pay, interaction with upper class-men, overall mission, commute between places. ALL these things matter quite a bit.

General thoughts about which Cali programs are strongest purely based on clinical training?

 

[Mr. Vandemar]

Any suggestions on questions to ask them during the interview? Websites often answer everything I want to know.

 

[GoodDoggy]

Deleted

 

[alpinism]

Ask for specific procedure numbers from senior residents.

Including both routine and rare procedures (cricothyroidotomy and thoracotomy).

You don't want to be doing your first while working alone in a single coverage critical access hospital at 3am as an attending.

 

[PounceMD]

No, cric's yet 3 months into intern year... other than 2 at fresh cadaver labs.

That'd be extremely rare though.

However... 25+ intubations, a couple chest tubes, a few PTA's, several LP's, and handful of reductions already.

A lot of procedures and getting your hands dirty at RCH / UC Riverside.

 

[Babycatsinabag]

Overall mission? Are you serious?

Hey! Sorry for being so broad. I think what I mean is what core things they proud themselves with. Some programs have a very strong social justice component for example. I think reading their mission statement and asking questions about what systems or initiatives or projects are in place with such emphasis is important to understand what else is there other then just the medicine.

 

[Babycatsinabag]

General thoughts about which Cali programs are strongest purely based on clinical training?

based on just the massive volume of patients, diversity of populations, I would say USC, Highland, Fresno, harbor - honestly they are all pretty equal for me in terms of the clinical training. Mainly because the sheer volume and sometimes just having the necessity to do things yourself, no access to consultants over night, etc. Some places are better in terms of things like elective time, more flexibility with schedules, higher exposure to critical care, better research opportunities, etc.

 

[Babycatsinabag]

Any suggestions on questions to ask them during the interview? Websites often answer everything I want to know.

Websites have the basic stuff, do not waste time asking specifics on the curriculum, that is just really not important. Focus more on what matters to you. Maybe ask whether they are flexible for international travel, whether there is funding for research projects, whether interns or junior residents have time for research or other non-medical activities. Wellness is a huge topic nowadays as well, and may programs are working hard on this and like to talk about their initiatives. Things like basic schedule stuff ask the residents about the day of the socials. During actual interviews, questions about upcoming changes in the program are good, asking about didactics and whether residents have an influence on those, etc. And really just ask what you want to know, if super basic things, sometimes the program coordinators or interns can answer for you, so try to save the thoughtful questions for the real interview. 🙂

 

[Babycatsinabag]

I'll piggy back off of this. I have continually heard UCSF Fresno has some of the best clinical training and the major minus is location. I would be interested in hearing a comparison to some of the other raw/great clinical places such as LA county/Highland. Appreciate your advice.

Yes, such an amazing program. Location is actually a draw for some people. Beautiful outdoors, super cheap COL. Training is phenomenal, all my med school staff really praise this program. In terms of training I believe is pretty equivalent to the other major county programs. If you are somewhat flexible with location, do apply and check it out. Their ED is really impressive.

 

[chillaxbro]

Is it possible to match in Cali or even get an II if you're not from CA and have no connections/support system/away rotations there? How much does doing an away at a CA rotation help? Does it only help at the place you rotated?

 

[DrDrummer]

Is it possible to match in Cali or even get an II if you're not from CA and have no connections/support system/away rotations there? How much does doing an away at a CA rotation help? Does it only help at the place you rotated?

Yes it is possible. I interviewed at all the large CA programs and didn't rotate at any or have any California connections. Rotating at a program will help you if you do well. If you're a strong applicant it isn't necessary though. That said if you think you want to move to a city or area in CA and have never been there, a month is a better option to audition a city or program than one or two days when you interview.

 

[Babycatsinabag]

Is it possible to match in Cali or even get an II if you're not from CA and have no connections/support system/away rotations there? How much does doing an away at a CA rotation help? Does it only help at the place you rotated?

Definitely possible to get an interview, met plenty of people on interview trail who had never been to California in their life and a few of them matched in California. Most people in my program had some CA connection -usually family in the area, but half of or so went to med schools outside CA. I think a lot of it is that people have roots somewhere and it works both ways, people from other states tend to put their states higher in the rank list too.