New programs: advantages/disadvantages
Started by wick215
Yeah, just got finished whoopin' some internet ass in Halo (can't wait for UT2k4).
I am in the first class of the University of South Florida's EM program. Its a three year program at Tampa General Hospital, a roughly 900 bed Level 1 Trauma Center.
Pros: You are the first person in the class. Your opinion goes far with the PD and attendings. You are a representative of the EM profession to all the other residencies at the hospital. You will know muhc more about what goes on in academic medicine because you will see academic medicine being created in front of you. You have great input in what the program is headed towards. Its a lot of fun being the first class. You'll also get a first hand view of how a community ED works (as in the first class, you are the only EM interns in the ED). There are no second or third year residents to take away patients or procedures. My first day as an intern I ran two medical codes (weeeeeee).
Cons: You are the first person in the class. A lot of the specialties aren't used to EM residents (they may be hesitant, but we easily broke this over and they are pretty impressed with us). You can feel overwhelmed sometimes because it is just you and the attending in the ED. No statistics anyone can give you about how their program passes 98% of the test takers. ANd no alumni in hospitals that can help you get a job (doubt this will be aproblem).
Back to Halo.
Q, DO
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New program =
1) fewer graduates out there to network with. (it ain't WHAT you know folks. I guess it doesn't matter if you're willing to live anywhere, but try getting a job in a desirable location in the Northwest or Intermountain West without knowing anyone.)
1.5) If you're interested in academics, chances are fewer people know your faculty and their letters won't go as far.
2) Decreased status within hospital
3) Program director who doesn't yet know how to "joust" with the other program directors to get the things her residents need/want
4) Rotations that aren't quite "tuned up" yet. (More loser rotations at newer programs because it takes years to weed them out of the curriculum.)
5) Often times only has young faculty. Rarely has faculty that has been teaching 2nd and 3rd year EM residents for decades.
I wouldn't make my residency choice based solely on this....but its something to consider.
1) fewer graduates out there to network with. (it ain't WHAT you know folks. I guess it doesn't matter if you're willing to live anywhere, but try getting a job in a desirable location in the Northwest or Intermountain West without knowing anyone.)
1.5) If you're interested in academics, chances are fewer people know your faculty and their letters won't go as far.
2) Decreased status within hospital
3) Program director who doesn't yet know how to "joust" with the other program directors to get the things her residents need/want
4) Rotations that aren't quite "tuned up" yet. (More loser rotations at newer programs because it takes years to weed them out of the curriculum.)
5) Often times only has young faculty. Rarely has faculty that has been teaching 2nd and 3rd year EM residents for decades.
I wouldn't make my residency choice based solely on this....but its something to consider.
To dispel any negative comments about my program, our PD, Dr. Kelly O'Keefe, has been a PD at two other programs. Of note is his starting a military EM residency in San Antonio, where his residents, taking the national in-service exam all EM residents have to take, scored #1 in the nation for several years in a row.
Also, our "second in command,", Dr. Dave Orban, was PD at UCLA.
Q, DO
Also, our "second in command,", Dr. Dave Orban, was PD at UCLA.
Q, DO
