Here's my interview impression of RIM. I actually really like the program. Good luck today, Aury!
Only interviewee for the day. This was a site I rotated at, so my interview experience may not be the same as those who haven't rotated there.
Quick tour of the new outpatient facility. 1st floor is a where outpatient (and inpatient?) PT is situated, as well as a health club with brand new Cybex machines, some free weights. Outpatient clinics are also to be located within the new building. 2nd floor includes a track, conference rooms, offices. Connects to the older inpatient building, specifically to the redisigned 3rd floor (SC unit).
Inpatient is a free-standing 90+ bed hospital, connected to other components of the DMC by an elaborate tunnel system. 3rd floor was newly renovated, with assurances they are working their way up. It as probably the nicest inpatient rehab floor I've seen (compared to old RIM, UM, Beaumont).
Lunch with the chief residents (one PGY4, one PGY3) at a local restaurant. Following that, interviews with program director, interim director of RIM, two PGY2s (but I was acquainted with them from my rotation) and the SC attending (again, I worked with her on my rotation). Very laid back interviews, with only the program director asking me the standard 'Why PM&R?' question. The rest of my interviews consisted of addressing my questions regarding the program.
Program consists of 5 residents per class, with 2 of the graduating class doing Pain fellowships and 1 pursuing a Sports Med fellowship. PGY2s start performing EMGs in the VA for 2 months, with on average getting around 100 done during that time. PGY2s also have weekly gross anatomy lab time . Residents live all over the place, with a couple living downtown, others in the suburbs.
Inpatient experiences are split between RIM and Sinai Grace Hospital during PGY2 and PGY3. Outpatient clinics include those at RIM as well as various SE Michigan sites. RIM has a contract with a local school district to cover high school athletic events, so sports medicine experience is built into curriculum. Call is overnight call broken up between the PGY2 and 3s for the 1st 12 days of the calendar. Following that, IM nightfloat is contracted to cover RIM. After those 12 days, only weekend day-call is expected. PGY2s and 3s average 1-2 overnight and 1 weekend day call a month.
Concerns; Association with the DMC and the resultant financial difficulties it is experiencing; however, I was assured multiple times that the program is operating within the black, and they are attempting to build their endowment in order to a) increase research/reputation and b) be able to weather disassociation from the DMC. Also, if you never have been to one of the DMC hospitals, their ancillary staff isn't the greatest.
Impressions; pleasantly surprised. In the words of the RIM director, 'cautiously optimistic' in regards to the direction of the program. Program director is very resident friendly, tries to tailor the program to resident needs.
