Good questions to ask during clerkship rotations

[peds14]

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Some I have came up with:

What are your call schedules like?
How soon will you get your surgery numbers? (which I still don't quite understand)
How is your life like outside of residency?
Why did you choose this residency over others?

There's probably more I've asked myself before but can't seem to think of them off the top of my head. I was just wondering if we could compile a good list together for when we do head out in January.

Thanks to all!

 

[dyk343]

How is your life like outside of residency?

It shouldn't matter too much but I wouldn't ask that. It makes you sound like you might not be the hardest worker (which I understand is not your intentions). Especially if you are single.

And most questions are tailored to individual experiences. Asking questions just to ask questions could easily annoy residents. Remember... they probably didn't sleep much last night. So a whole list of tailored questions is just extra work. If you have a legitimate question... ask it. That is not frowned upon. But when a resident can read through you and see that you have 6 more tailored questions to ask it might not jive well on your part. And if they are busy/stressed find another time to ask questions. You have to read the environment.

Whatever you do don't ask questions you already know the answer to only to make yourself sound smart. Ex: "What's a normal Bohler's angle... 20-40*"?
It gets old fast.


Good luck out there. Externships are brutal but also not as bad as you are expecting. Just work hard. Really hard. Everything will work out if you do.

 

[ToeTickler323]

I too agree with what dyk said however I think it is very important to find out about life outside of residency. No program in the country requires residents to work 24/7. Asking about residents life outside of work, what there is to do, and if there are any good restaurants should not be frowned upon in anyway! Especially when students may not be from the area!Life outside of work certainly should carry some weight in your residency decision otherwise how do you plan on decompressing after working extreme hours? With that being said I would suggest saving these type questions toward the end of the month so there is plenty of time for your work ethic and real priorities to be displayed.

 

[dyk343]

It's probably just me... but does anyone else hate being bothered when typing notes?

 

[I post PRN]

Check out the PMSR/RRA residency review thread, it might answer a lot of questions you have about specific programs...assuming you are rotating at any of those reviewed. It's definitely good to ask questions, but I agree with those above, be careful not to come across as needy. Have fun.

 

[peds14]

How is your life like outside of residency?

It shouldn't matter too much but I wouldn't ask that. It makes you sound like you might not be the hardest worker (which I understand is not your intentions). Especially if you are single.

And most questions are tailored to individual experiences. Asking questions just to ask questions could easily annoy residents. Remember... they probably didn't sleep much last night. So a whole list of tailored questions is just extra work. If you have a legitimate question... ask it. That is not frowned upon. But when a resident can read through you and see that you have 6 more tailored questions to ask it might not jive well on your part. And if they are busy/stressed find another time to ask questions. You have to read the environment.

Whatever you do don't ask questions you already know the answer to only to make yourself sound smart. Ex: "What's a normal Bohler's angle... 20-40*"?
It gets old fast.


Good luck out there. Externships are brutal but also not as bad as you are expecting. Just work hard. Really hard. Everything will work out if you do.

Totally agree. Thanks for the insight!

 

[peds14]

Check out the PMSR/RRA residency review thread, it might answer a lot of questions you have about specific programs...assuming you are rotating at any of those reviewed. It's definitely good to ask questions, but I agree with those above, be careful not to come across as needy. Have fun.

I will do that, thanks for the tip.

 

[TemplePodiatry]

When I rotated- I really just wanted to get to know the residents and attendings. Are these the people I want to work with for the next 3-4 years?
I would ask more social questions about the area if you aren't familiar with it and what do the residents do outside of work.
If you are rotating at the hospital- they already know you are interested in the program- that's a given.
As someone mentioned about- call schedule is important to ask about, how much clinic, how many surgeries, how many full time attendings, etc. Those questions all can be answered by the uppers in a matter of minutes on day 1. The rest should be just getting to know everyone.

 

[peds14]

When I rotated- I really just wanted to get to know the residents and attendings. Are these the people I want to work with for the next 3-4 years?
I would ask more social questions about the area if you aren't familiar with it and what do the residents do outside of work.
If you are rotating at the hospital- they already know you are interested in the program- that's a given.
As someone mentioned about- call schedule is important to ask about, how much clinic, how many surgeries, how many full time attendings, etc. Those questions all can be answered by the uppers in a matter of minutes on day 1. The rest should be just getting to know everyone.

Thanks for the advice! I'm super pumped/excited/nervous to get out there! One more hump, though...BOARDS! But, no need to discuss that here. Thanks again, everyone for the feedback

 

[Podophile]

"How many of your residents get divorced while at this program?"

"How often do residents get terminated, or end up leaving of their own accord (resigning, transferring)?"

"What types of jobs are your graduates getting right out of residency?"