Drastic difference in programs "avg. hrs/wk"

[Sulfinator]

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I was just comparing some of the path programs on the AMA FREIDA website; some programs report that first year residents work way more hrs. per week than other programs (like 70hrs. vs. 45hrs.). Even the difference between BWH (70hrs.) and Johns Hopkins (60hrs.) is significant. My question is: why? Do some programs just give their residents more to do than others? Is it because some programs have more PAs that help cut down on the number of hours spent grossing? What's the deal?

 

[vr4nut]

This might not be the answer you're looking for, but from my personal experience an average or estimate like that is pretty meaningless. I have seen residents "work" 35 hours per week next to others on the same rotation who will spend 80 hours, much of which is occupied by research or studying while present "at work."

I would recommend not putting too much weight on what the program directors estimate on hours, often they really have no idea. Not to mention, of course, that it will vary trememdously with the type of rotation, eg surg path vs clinical chemistry. Ask the residents themselves how things are, or check scutwork.com to see if anyone has posted work hours (reviews there generally seemed right-on when I compared them to what residents said about a program at the interview).

Finally, as you mentioned, having PAs to help gross can cut the hours down and free up study time, and some programs/rotations do give more work than others, but you really have to talk to the residents who have been through it to know for sure what the hours are and what they are spent on.

 

[Mr. Plow]

I agree with the above as well. A statistic like avg hours per week is essentially meaningless. It really depends on the particular rotation, as well as on the particular resident's work habits, extracurricular activities, etc. Residency directors (not to mention faculty) often have no clue what kind of hours the residents actually log. Surgical pathology is always going to be more time demanding, whereas rotations like microbiology or clinical chemistry will usually be less demanding. But to give it a number? Puhlease.

 

[Parts Unknown]

I was just comparing some of the path programs on the AMA FREIDA website; some programs report that first year residents work way more hrs. per week than other programs (like 70hrs. vs. 45hrs.). Even the difference between BWH (70hrs.) and Johns Hopkins (60hrs.) is significant. My question is: why? Do some programs just give their residents more to do than others? Is it because some programs have more PAs that help cut down on the number of hours spent grossing? What's the deal?

I believe FREIDA data is largely self reported, so it probably comes down to each program director sitting down with a secretary and coming up with numbers. In other words, expect wide variation between programs, and little resemblance to reality.

The only semi-accurate way to tell work hours is to interview and speak with as many current residents as possible.

 

[HbyHA]

I believe FREIDA data is largely self reported, so it probably comes down to each program director sitting down with a secretary and coming up with numbers. In other words, expect wide variation between programs, and little resemblance to reality.

The only semi-accurate way to tell work hours is to interview and speak with as many current residents as possible.

just saw our PIF for our ACGME site visit, and i can tell you that the hours per week is a made up number (and is actually high unless you're on surg path, but then still waaaay below 80 hrs). I'm wondering if FRIEDA pulls from the ACGME info?

either way, the residents who actually work the hours are a lot better resources than FRIEDA for that sort of thing...

 

[Napoleon1801]

I was just comparing some of the path programs on the AMA FREIDA website; some programs report that first year residents work way more hrs. per week than other programs (like 70hrs. vs. 45hrs.). Even the difference between BWH (70hrs.) and Johns Hopkins (60hrs.) is significant. My question is: why? Do some programs just give their residents more to do than others? Is it because some programs have more PAs that help cut down on the number of hours spent grossing? What's the deal?

Agree with all the other replying posters. NUMEROUS places that I interviewed at that all claimed to be <55 hours per week basically flat out made up their FREIDA stats. Just talk to the residents or shoot some PM's off to folks here on the forums and you'll get a much better idea of what to expect. If you're worried about hours make sure to ask about surg path in general since that is usually the most time consuming rotation.

 

[Pianoboe01]

Do you never log hours at any of your residency programs? We are periodically told to log our hours for a particular month, no matter what rotation we are on. I'd say our average hours listed on freida is pretty accurate - obviously it's going to be a little higher when you're on surg path and a little lower on the CP months.