Interviews

[utlonghorn50]

I thought it might be helpful to start a thread about interviews people are getting. I know it would also be helpful to those of us applying next year if people posted their board scores too. Good luck and thanks.

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[Sessamoid]

I'm long past the interviewing stage, but I just hadda stop and say, "Hook 'em!"

 

[utlonghorn50]

I'm long past the interviewing stage, but I just hadda stop and say, "Hook 'em!"

Right on!

 

[unk_fxn]

Have ANY Programs sent interview requests yet?

Anyone?

Bueller?

 

[DrQuinn]

I know my program, USF, hasn't even started reviewing formally the applications. We are still making the folders to put the applications in!
Q

 

[EvoDevo]

I'm long past the interviewing stage, but I just hadda stop and say, "Hook 'em!"

Right on!

w3rd. Either gonna be a great year or a crushingly disappointing one with Mack's team. :|

Soooo, regarding EM: What are the really good programs located in the South?

 

[Sessamoid]

w3rd. Either gonna be a great year or a crushingly disappointing one with Mack's team. :|

Soooo, regarding EM: What are the really good programs located in the South?

Where in the South? Or do you mean southwest?

Going by last week, it doesn't look pretty for the us in the Red River Rivalry again this year.

 

[Jeff698]

I'm long past the interviewing stage, but I just hadda stop and say, "Hook 'em!"

Oh, puhlease!

Lookee, another great way to show I'm an Aggie:

BTW, I got heckled for being an Aggie today by a 12 year old as I stiched up his finger. The kid had a great sense of humor (and was pretty brave considering what I was holding in my hand at the time).

Take care,
Jeff

PS, the well is still dry for this applicant. I don't think I'll really start looking for anything (or start the panicing I'm sure will come) until at least the dean's letters have gone up.

 

[Seaglass]

Good programs in the south. Hmmm. Let me see. Well, in the south certiain programs are certainly known for things. For example, Medical College of Georgia does a lot of disaster and wilderness medicine as well as event medicine, Emory is known for trauma galore and resident autonomy, Carolinas for assloads of research and a very strong ultrasound program, Wake is one of the oldest programs in the country (and probably the best), Duke is up-and-coming and located in a surgery/medicine powerhouse, UNC has a great mix of university/community exposure and ... Tintinalli. ECU has a more rural feel with a huge patient population. Don't know much about the virginia or FL programs.

 

[EvoDevo]

Good programs in the south. Hmmm. Let me see. Well, in the south certiain programs are certainly known for things. For example, Medical College of Georgia does a lot of disaster and wilderness medicine as well as event medicine, Emory is known for trauma galore and resident autonomy, Carolinas for assloads of research and a very strong ultrasound program, Wake is one of the oldest programs in the country (and probably the best), Duke is up-and-coming and located in a surgery/medicine powerhouse, UNC has a great mix of university/community exposure and ... Tintinalli. ECU has a more rural feel with a huge patient population. Don't know much about the virginia or FL programs.

Cool. I've determined (through an extremely scientific and unbiased polling of Southerners) that I cannot possibly thrive in a cold climate.

Since I'm a couple of years away, may I ask what are the things that make a program good? Or should I start another thread?

(Sorry for the threadjack )

 

[Seaglass]

I think everyone has a different idea of what is "good." Ask DocB what is good and you're going to get a very different answer than from MudPhud due to their very different interests. Here is a general list of places that programs differ:

1. Patient population. Inner city or suburbs? Large or small? Poor or wealthy? It boils down to what you want to see and who you want to work with. You can learn to be a great doc by seeing just about anyone.

2. Volume. It's not just the annual volume but things like: How many attendings are supervising per shift? How many residents work per shift? What percent of patients are admitted? How many go to the ICU?

Just as an example, in a department that sees 40k annually but only has 2 residents on per shift those residents are likely to see more patients than programs with 80k and 6 residents on per shift. In very busy EDs you may have more autonomy. Some people want this, some don't.

3. Peds. I find the amount and quality of Peds training to be one of the biggest variables between programs. Some solve the Peds problem by having you rotate at outside Peds hospitals or ED's, some have associated ED's where you work regular shifts on peds as well as adult. Some have integrated EDs where peds and adult are seen in the same facility. What do you want?

4. Trauma. How much and what type? I think that most attendings would tell you that it doesn't take much trauma to get good at it and in fact I find it to be rather dull but you have to decide what you want.

Trauma level. Let me give you an example of the uselessness of trauma level. Wake is the only level 1 Peds trauma center in North Carolina. Do you think they are flying in all the kids who are thrown out of pickup trucks to Wake? No, they're being seen at Duke, UNC, ECU, Carolinas, etc just as much as here.

5. Ultrasound. Up and coming technology. The RRC requires that it be taught in all residencies. How much training you get beyond the regular list of FAST, Aorta, IUP, Gallbladder is very program dependant.

6. Research. Different programs put out different amounts and levels of research, and the "biggies" aren't always who you would think. As I posted above Carolinas is very big in EM research but they're not a university based program.

7. University vs. Community based. I put this down the list because I don't think it's as big a deal as some make it out to be. At community programs, in general, you may be doing more procedures than at university programs due to a lack of specialists. On the flip side, off service rotations and the education that goes with them may not be as good. Overall I would say they are probably comperable though.

8. Off service rotations. What are they and are they relevant to EM? How are residents treated on off-service rotations and what do they think of the usefulness of particular rotations. For example we just added a MICU month to the third year where the third year EM resident is a senior resident for the MICU. The residents are finding it to be a great rotation for skills and to polish their skills at longer-term CC management.

I'm tired for now so I'll let someone else take over. The programs in the US (and even the south) are all different as far as this list goes. It really depends on what you want. I can honestly say that finding out where my EP did his training (should I have to go to the ED) would have no impact in how I view their care. Unless it was Quinn of course.

 

[EMIMG]

Good programs in the south. Hmmm. Let me see. Well, in the south certiain programs are certainly known for things. For example, Medical College of Georgia does a lot of disaster and wilderness medicine as well as event medicine, Emory is known for trauma galore and resident autonomy, Carolinas for assloads of research and a very strong ultrasound program, Wake is one of the oldest programs in the country (and probably the best), Duke is up-and-coming and located in a surgery/medicine powerhouse, UNC has a great mix of university/community exposure and ... Tintinalli. ECU has a more rural feel with a huge patient population. Don't know much about the virginia or FL programs.

MCG not as much wilderness medicine...but there are a lot of international emergnecy medicine opportunities. In addition, there is tremendous ultrasound opportunities available there.

 

[cowbydoc]

I got an interview invitation today from St. Luke's in Bethlehem, PA. Now my only problem is what to tell them seeing as how they were probably more in the bottom half of the 30+ I applied to. It was easy to just click on programs, now I have to actually decide where to go.

 

[EvoDevo]

Thanks a bunch, Seaglass!! That took some work and I really appreciate it.

You've given me lots to think about.

Though I've got lotsa time to decide, it sure seems that EM docs have the funniest personalities so far.

 

[Seaglass]

Hey, other residents add to the list. I know there's stuff I left off like pre-hospital, facilities, etc.

 

[Seaglass]

Ahh, I've got some time to kill, I'll do it myself.

9. Pre-hospital. Different programs are involved in EMS and event medicine to different extents. I cannot think of any program that doesn't have residents doing medical command for EMS. Others require teaching EMT's and paramedics, or allow you to fly. Some programs (eg. Pitt) are extremely well known for their EMS.

10. Facilities. Ahh, the aesthetics. Sure a nice new ED is great, but they're rare. Key questions are: Does this ED layout actually hinder work being done? (Most do) Are ancillary services (CAT scanner) far away? Do I have to wheel my own patients around? Are labs/charts available on computer? I wouldn't put this stuff too high on your list of consideration but it could be the deal breaker between two good programs.

For example, here at Wake we use LastWord which I detest as well as about 10 other computer databases for patient care. At Penn State we used Powerchart which had everything in it. THe ED at Penn State had a great layout and services and here it is a bit more old school. Overall I would have to say I preferred the layout at Penn State but I liked so many other things about Wake that obviously I ended up here.

On the flip side I interviewed at Emory and the moment I saw their ED I knew I could not work there. No doubt the facilities are not why their residents choose to train there.

11. Other ED's. I guess this sort of goes with facilities. Many programs have you rotate at other affiliated EDs or do rotations at outside hospitals. All the same questions apply: How much time do you spend there? Who are the attendings (from your program, private group)? How far away is it? (can be a big deal)

Another example, and I don't mean to bias you but just FYI (I have changed some of the details to protect the innocent). I interviewed at one hospital that had you rotate at an outside hospital that is "20 minutes away." So I thought I'd drive it to find out and I guess it would be 20 minutes at midnight but in traffic it was more like 40. And they are doing 12 hour shifts there so I guess it's more like 14-15 hours once you clean up after a shift and including driving time.

12. Extras. Salary, benefits, book allowance. This can be big if you have a family like me. Don't forget to factor in the cost of living in that area.

13. Moonlighting. Hmm. Mixed opinions on this one, especially from AAEM - one of our professional organizations, and also SAEM IIRC. The people who are for it say that it helps augment your income (which it certainly does) and helps you feel more comfortable in independant practice. Those against tend to say that it opens you up to HUGE liability (which it does) and sends a mixed message to the rest of the medical community (ie. we hold Board certification in EM to be the qualifying standard to work in an ED, but we let our non-board certified residents work alone in EDs). Also, a question to ask the residents (NOT ATTENDINGS) is what kind of moonlighting opportunities are available. It's no use to you if they allow moonlighting but the nearest place is 2 hours away.

14. Environment. I should have put this at the top. Are you a Roja or a jpgreer? Some like the city, some don't. Some are West coast, some are east. Some have families, some don't. You will find that programs definitely have "personalities" when it comes to the residents they attract and you need to see if you fit in with that and can se yourself living in that place. There are plenty of kick-ass residencies that are located in not-so-hot places and plenty of average residencies that are supercompetitive because of a great location.

I think it is fair to say that EM residents mostly choose based on location and then the other things. EM doesn't tend to attract the type of residents with the "hopkins" attitude (no offense niner) - ie. "I have to go to the big name program or I'm going to die!" We prefer to live where we like.

I'm tired out again, and I have to go back to the OR to try to get some more tubes for today. See you in a few.

 

[EvoDevo]

Wow, great stuff, Seaglass.

I have some questions for anyone now...

1. As EM physicians, do you all feel that you get to "do something" for your patients? 2. How's the job satisfaction?
3. Seaglass, you mentioned salaries....I thought that all PGY1's had the same salary no matter what.....I'm wrong?
4. "Trauma is boring." Okay, so what are the appealing things about EM? What makes one choose this specialty over, say, IM/Surgery/etc.

Thanks for all the help, guys.

 

[Jeff698]

EMS is a big deal for me. Here are some of the programs(in no particular order) that, from my perspective, are good for EMS wennies like me:

Oregon
Pitt
Cinncinnati
Indianapolis
Carolinas

I know there are lots more but my brain is out right now and not expected back in anytime soon.

Take care,
Jeff

 

[Seaglass]

Maybe someone can dig up the "why I picked EM" thread to answer question 4. In short, I chose EM because I liked the idea of shift work, I like the patient population, I like procedures, I despise long term care, etc. I like working with kids, adults. I like trauma. I like the idea that I can work more or less wherever I want when I'm done (although that's not special to EM).

As for question 1, hell yes we feel like we do something for patients. When someone comes in septic and hypotensive who stabilizes them and basically saves their lives? We do. That is just one example of a host of presenting complaints that require emergent intervention to obtain the best possible outcome. Now, not everything we see is emergent (or even most things) but we still see plenty. Also, don't forget we see, diagnose, treat, and discharge the majority of patients presenting to the ED. None of the programs I interviewed at had better than a 35-45% admit rate. Personally I find the job to be very satisfying.

Salaries are generally the same but not exactly the same and 39k goes farther here in Winston than it will in Philly. Benefits can vary more and really should be considered in the whole compensation package.

Trauma is pretty boring from a medical perspective but that doesn't mean it's not rewarding. For example I saw a 18 yo wf who ran her car off the road and flipped it the other day. She was stable so it wasn't a major trauma ode (no surgeons), just me and the pt. and her mother. Of course her mother is freaking out but as a physician you have the opportunity to both comfort the family and assess the patient. Ultimately she was cleared and sent home and she and her family were very grateful. Had another lady who caught a lawnmower blade to the head while riding as a passenger in her husband's pickup. Had to ligate the TA, head CT, sutures, sent home with f/u. She and her husband were very grateful and i had some fun too (once again, no surgeons).

 

[jazz]

Wow, great stuff, Seaglass.

I have some questions for anyone now...

1. As EM physicians, do you all feel that you get to "do something" for your patients? 2. How's the job satisfaction?
3. Seaglass, you mentioned salaries....I thought that all PGY1's had the same salary no matter what.....I'm wrong?
4. "Trauma is boring." Okay, so what are the appealing things about EM? What makes one choose this specialty over, say, IM/Surgery/etc.

Thanks for all the help, guys.

1. yes! especially the critically ill ones -- which is of course why the er was designed to exist in the first place. you'll realize that once IM attendings in private practice are very uncomfortable with vfib, vtach, svt, codes. partly because they are in a setting with no monitoring and partly because it's been a long time since they've run codes. sick, unstable patients are the "exciting" cases -- they are the ones that you can make a difference. chronic pain, i probably don't do much for my patients, but then again, they weren't supposed to come to the er.

2. Job satisfaction -- some days are better than others. some days are more satisfying -- when you know that your medical intervention saved someone an intubation, for instance. it's nice to diagnose a PE with non classic findings -- it does make you wonder why you went down that path and how scary it is to practice er.

3. pgy-1 salaries range from probably around 36,000 to 43,000 or so a year. each subsequent year is about 1000 or so higher. it does depend on the program. you'll see that nyc pays more but the extra 7000 may still not be enough if there is not subsidized housing. sometimes less urban places actually pay more depending on how much they are trying to get residents to go. top location programs (california) can get away with paying less since so many people want to go there. pgy-1 salaries are the same at each hospital/program. so regardless of whether you are psych, er, surg, ob/gyn at for instance, Hopkins, you'll get paid the same.

4. trauma kind of sucks. it's so cookbook. trauma teams get in the way. jams up the er. i like er because i like variety. i like moving around when i'm at work. i like quick, focused h and p's, not long chat sessions. i like procedures. i like turning around chf's, asthma, copd's on the brink of intubation. i like not being on call. i don't like long term medical managemnt of blood sugars and hypertension. i don't miss calls from personal patients with chronic complaints. i like the ability to have a different schedule (er is flexible).

hope that provides you with another viewpoint. though, i tend to agree with all that seaglass has said.

 

[kungfufishing]

you should definitely arrange a rotation if you havent yet. I would venture that EM is one of the more unique specialties, in that it incorporates such a broad knowledge base and a perspective/mindset that is unlike most other specialties because you arent looking to follow the patient's disease over the next 8 years or even to definitively diagnose them, but you are looking to rule out an immediate life threat or hopefully fix their immediate problem. Of course, every specialty is unique, but most (peds, IM, surg, etc) work within a somewhat similar(floor/rounding/OR/clinic/followup) context. I really dont care for long term management of chronic problems. I think people attracted to EM (physicians and otherwise) tend to be interesting, gregarious, and good at working within a team. ED staff and EP's often develop a less hierarchical (word?) and more collegial relationship than, say, IM attendings and floor nurses. The multitasking element cant be understated, either - I really enjoy juggling numerous patients at a time (which also leads to the 'work hard, play hard' aspect of the specialty). Something else repeatedly echoed on this forum is that the idea of knowing how to initially approach almost any problem - medical, surgical, orthopedic, pediatric - is empowering and what I had in mind when I decided I wanted to be a doctor. I dont really want to be the 'expert' in any one area so much as I like the idea that when grandpa keels over in the front yard or lil' Jimmy drinks drano or pappy has a compound fracture, Ill know where to start.
I wouldnt pick it for the schedule or the salary, although being "off when Im off" is certainly nice. ok this is easily my longest post in a year so thats plenty.

 

[EM-DoctorJ]

So I would like to weigh in with my first non-home program interview offer.

MLK-Drew in LA.

Kind of a mixed bag since the hospital is closing to trauma and faces a loss of its accreditation in the next year, but I prefer to look at in a positive light. My thinking being if a program that is unlikely to exist by the time I finish my training doesn?t want me, then I don?t want to even think about where I stand compared to everywhere else.

Plus I have twice as many interviews now, then when I woke up this morning.

 

[NinerNiner999]

As for MLK-Drew I have two words for you - practice interview. I am a firm believer that the more of your "non-desirable" programs you schedule interviews for early in the season, the more it will help you as you get to the middle and end of the interview season. I also agree with everything Seaglass stated above, as a PGY-1 of course

 

[Derek]

If this thread is still about interviews, I was extended an offer from Texas Tech. today.

 

[DrQuinn]

If this thread is still about interviews, I was extended an offer from Texas Tech. today.

Congratulations! Go you!
Q

 

[kungfufishing]

I rotated at Texas Tech and really liked it. Go into El Paso with an open mind, they see some cool pathology. My wife frickin hated it though.

 

[FoughtFyr]

EMS is a big deal for me. Here are some of the programs(in no particular order) that, from my perspective, are good for EMS wennies like me:

Oregon
Pitt
Cinncinnati
Indianapolis
Carolinas

I know there are lots more but my brain is out right now and not expected back in anytime soon.

Take care,
Jeff

As an EMS weenie myself, add Mayo to the list. Flight program with resident as flight crew (not observer), EMS assistant directorships, and EMS call handling. All in all, I couldn't be happier!

- H

 

[Halcyon]

hey all...

Here is what I have so far:

M.D. -
AGH
York Hospital

D.O. -
Doctor's North
St. James/CCOM

I heard today from York...seems like interviews are finally on the way!

Good luck all! Will keep this updated...

 

[southerndoc]

Don't forget Yale. We have a very strong EMS program here. We offer a one or two-year fellowship and have several faculty involved with EMS on the local, state, and national levels.

Unfortunately we have no aeromedical program. (That's the only downside.)

We do a lot of EMS-related research here.

 

[Harriet Lane]

Hi Jeff, I am a former EMT turned med student headed for emergency medicine residency. I am curious as to what you mean by programs that are good for EMS. How do residents in the programs you listed work withthe EMS different than other EM residencies? This definitely sounds like something I need to look into. Also, I am headed for the south so which Carolina program were you referring to?

Thanks!

EMS is a big deal for me. Here are some of the programs(in no particular order) that, from my perspective, are good for EMS wennies like me:

Oregon
Pitt
Cinncinnati
Indianapolis
Carolinas

I know there are lots more but my brain is out right now and not expected back in anytime soon.

Take care,
Jeff

 

[UHSDOMBA]

Hey ladies and gents,
Just want to add to the interview pool: Texas Tech, St. Luke's in PA, York (in PA). Seems like other students got interviews at these institutions as well. Good luck everyone!!

 

[SCER2005]

I got my first interview offer today from Nebraska. Very excited and hopeful for more. Good luck to all of you guys (and gals) this interview season. I hope to meet some of you out on the road.

 

[Uncle Rico]

Today............I still don't have any interviews. I'm going to keep up the good work.

 

[dchristismi]

Today............I still don't have any interviews. I'm going to keep up the good work.

Me either... but not all of my stuff is uploaded yet. (And I need to write some "thank you/reminders" to some of my letter writers... )

The PD at the externship I did said that he doesn't write letters until October. Is this standard practice? I'm not too worried, but am wondering.

Danielle

 

[Hercules]

Me either... but not all of my stuff is uploaded yet. (And I need to write some "thank you/reminders" to some of my letter writers... )

The PD at the externship I did said that he doesn't write letters until October. Is this standard practice? I'm not too worried, but am wondering.

Danielle

I'm in a similar situation and will be sending out thank you notes this week to my letter writers as well. Unfortunately, no amount of thank you notes will get my school to upload my transcript before October

 

[WakeMedHeel]

Still missing two letter of rec...

But got an offer from Ohio State today.

 

[Jeff698]

No joy here. My app, though, is still missing: LORs 2 & 3, transcript, Dean's letter, photo. My school says they'll be uploading transcripts soon and photos will follow. Dean's letter is November 1. Grrr.

Congrats to all y'all with early interviews!

Take care,
Jeff

 

[mikecwru]

Don't forget Yale. We have a very strong EMS program here. We offer a one or two-year fellowship and have several faculty involved with EMS on the local, state, and national levels.

Unfortunately we have no aeromedical program. (That's the only downside.)

We do a lot of EMS-related research here.

MetroHealth in Cleveland has the second busiest helicopter program in the country, now with some rumors that we're the busiest. We handle citywide med command calls. The director of EMS is one of our attendings and you can get fairly involved with medical direction. You can do EMS ridealongs at your leisure.

The helicopter is physician + RN with the opportunity to moonlight on it as much as you want.

We give EMS lectures, etc.

mike

 

[wsingh]

Well my fellow adrenalin junkies. . . So far this is what I have:
1. St. lukes
2. York Hosp.
3. Univ. of Nebraska

Anyone know where St.Lukes or Univ. of Nebraska stand in the scheme of training etc.? This residency application business is expensive!!!

WS

 

[roja]

Which St. Lukes? there are more than one!

congrats everyone.


Evo- Now now. Why are you forsaking thenorth. While there are definate trials and tribulations, I love living in the north, for the limited tmie of residency.

and while salaries are somewhat standardized for standard of living, benefits will vary. For example- We get 500 bucks CME every year. We get any confrence witha paper presented paid for (hotel, airfare, stipend). We get ACEP membership paid for. We get subsidized housing (not all that commen in NYC). ETc etc... look at more than salary. Look at benefits.

 

[unk_fxn]

Hey Y'all...

I got the Texas Tech and the Omaha, NE this week also.

Hope to see you on the trail.

Anyone here with an opinion to share on Omaha? They are new. Rumors are lacking.

 

[Jeff698]

For everyone with interviews (congrats, BTW), did y'all have all your LORs, school transcripts and photos in already?

I'm STILL waiting for a promised LOR (after repeated polite reminders) and my school doesn't see the need to upload transcripts until October.

Take care,
Jeff

 

[unk_fxn]

2 LORs one from IM one from FP... still waiting on EM LORs. Transcript, photo all the rest is there.

 

[wsingh]

I've been lucky. All of my LORs, are in. Just need the freakin' Dean's Letter and my step 2 (taking it on Oct. 5th). By the way, its St. Lukes's in PA that I called me up for an interview. Good luck all.

WS

 

[Scrubbs]

I've been lucky. All of my LORs, are in. Just need the freakin' Dean's Letter and my step 2 (taking it on Oct. 5th). By the way, its St. Lukes's in PA that I called me up for an interview. Good luck all.

There was recently a whole thread about St. Lukes, PA. Also, I think we've had one every year for the past 3 years...

St. Lukes

 

[realruby2000]

Hey why not add some stats and LORS to the interview offers on this thread?

 

[joaquin13]

Just got an interview offer today from St. Vincents Mercy in Toledo, OH. Any feedback on that program?!

 

[dlung]

Just got an interview offer today from St. Vincents Mercy in Toledo, OH. Any feedback on that program?!

I go to MCO -- SVMMC is our affiliate... my research advisors might interview you.

It's a nice community-based program. Academics are pretty strong for a community program (there's a handful of faculty that are very active publishing). If you like med students, the EM club has been getting St. V's faculty/residents more involved every year. Very resident/family friendly -- they churn out tons of kids. You fly a lot -- the R2 gets the Lifeflight pager. It's supposedly one of the strongest flight programs in the country (certainly one of the first). The faculty is very chill + friendly, and available.

I'd ask about admitting privileges, resident responsibilities during trauma activations, peds + ob/gyn exposure... the cafeteria food sucks.

It's a solid program, but then I have my loyalties... =)

Also, I can tell you the pluses about Toledo (anyone can tell you the minuses) sometime later...

Good luck.

 

[Derek]

Ditto on interview offer today from St. Vincents Mercy in Toledo, OH.

 

[pman95]

No joy here. My app, though, is still missing: LORs 2 & 3, transcript, Dean's letter, photo. My school says they'll be uploading transcripts soon and photos will follow. Dean's letter is November 1. Grrr.

Congrats to all y'all with early interviews!

Take care,
Jeff

Jeff,

As a fellow former student (class of '95) and TAMU EMS member...I am an equally big EMS weenie. UMass is VERY EMS friendly. We have an EMS/disaster medicne fellowship, residents staff UMass Life Flight 24/7/365, we are online medical control for about 15-20 regional EMS services (2nd and 3rd year residents handle all medical control calls), and we do teaching of EMT/Paramedic courses.

If you can bear the thought of leaving Texas, experiencing 4 seasons, give UMass a look. If you interview here, you can even stay at my house!

Gig 'Em!