Tough to make comparisons between programs without having gone through all of the programs in question.
I'd say that our strengths lie in the fact that we are a major tertiary care center and referral center and have surpluses of every major case you could want. We have no competition in the entire north Texas region and we draw cases even from our neighboring states.
I spoke to visiting residents from other programs who come here to meet their numbers and all rave about two things: the availability of all drugs and equipment and the variety of techniques that you are taught, in addition to sheer case numbers. I will have as many cardiac cases logged in at the end of my three years here as some of my friends doing cardiac fellowships around the country. The major neuro, complicated OB, major vascular, and pediatric case numbers and varieties are also extremely high. The pain management division has 3 services covering 8 hospitals with plenty of interventional experience available.
Because we get so much experience, we are given more autonomy earlier than most programs might be willing to grant. For example, this month on our neuro service, I have managed 5 major neuro spine cases (varying in length from 12-18 hours, with all being ASA 3 or 4, including yesterday's 360 degree resection of metastatic renal cell cancer to C4-6 with instrumentation and reconstruction) almost completely on my own in terms of anesthetic plan, intraoperative treatment decisions, and post operative evaluation and care. My attendings allowed me to manage the patient as I sought fit but were readily available to back me up (didn't need it though).
Without rehashing too much that is already on the Scutwork reviews, you can see it all here, see it in volume, and still have time to read and pursue other interests. Clinical research has always been strong at Southwestern (White, Joshi, et al. on staff). Basic science research to the molecular and cellular level haven't always been, but a new research fellowship is up and running and we have already brought in basic science research staff who are already publishing.
I believe, however, that how you approach your residency years will be just as important in determining how well you are trained as well as how you are perceived in either the private or academic worlds. We could give you access to as many complicated cases as you could want, but if you don't want to learn from them or do them at all, you can still struggle to excel in this field.
Therefore, by all means, look at the raw numbers and statistics, but pick the program that provides the best environment for you to excel. Whatever that criteria entails is what you should use to compare the different programs (Case numbers, location, fellow residents, staff, facilities, etc.).
I think that someone on another thread also talked about going with your "gut feeling". Instincts are something you have to judge in terms of their reliability, so don't hesitate to ask as many questions as you can think of to give you the best global picture you can assemble.
Good luck
ok, no offense taken, but let me tell you I am so glad I matched here instead of some of the other places! Feel free to write if anyone has any questions about OU Gas!
