Program size

[Nathan Steed]

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Hey all,

just a quick question. How do you define a small or a big program? I would imagine by the number of spots available each year. If so, is 5 spots considered a medium or a big program?

thanks for the reply in advance.

 

[doepug]

5 residents/year = relatively small program = lots and lots of call

To the best of my knowledge, the largest program in the US is Mallinckrodt, with 17 residents/year. 4-5/year is about as small as you'll see... I suspect this is more common at community programs. I think average ranges from 8-10 at academic centers.

Clearly, there are pros and cons of program size. A smaller program has plenty of camraderie (hopefully), but you'll probably take call sooner and more frequently than residents in other programs... beware of fourth year call when you're trying to pass the boards. It'll also be harder to schedule electives, away rotations, and vacation weeks. If one of your fellow residents needs maternity or medical leave, your schedule will be totally screwed. Although larger programs definitely have a different atmosphere, you'll have the scheduling advantages that come with it.

 

[ScooterBanks]

The above poster has no idea what he is talking about. 5 residents a year is by no means large, but it is definitely not "small". There are plenty of community programs out there that take 2 or 3 residents a year. 5 is slightly on the smaller side of a medium sized program. There are LOTS of very solid academic programs that take 5-7 residents a year. There are 188 programs listed on Frieda. Only 4 have over 50 residents (12+ a year). Only 41 have between 31 and 50, which works out to be 8-12 residents per class. So 75% of all programs out there have 7 or less residents per class. 5 per year is not a small number.

A good point is made about the call, but it is also misguided. Program size definitely has a bearing on the amount of call you take. Many larger academic centers require 2 residents on call each night to cover the volume and responsibilities. If these programs take 10 residents a year and have 2 residents on call, then it works out to be the same amount of call for programs that take 5 residents a year but only have 1 resident on call each night. So make sure and check and see if programs have a single, double, or triple teared call system before jumping to conclusions about the relative amount of call you will take simply based upon program size.

 

[f_w]

And make sure to take into account how many hospitals are in the program. There are some 'large' programs who have to cover 5 hospitals on call. Some might not have in-house coverage, but still suddenly the 12 residents/year turn into q-5 calls. Also, as noted by the previous poster many of the academic places double-up residents or have subspecialty call in the higher years.

 

[Whisker Barrel Cortex]

I think 5-7 is an average sized program. The call really depends on what you cover. We have 6 (just upped to 7 for this years first year class) and don't take overnight call until 15 months into residency. Then we're on q10 for a year, q12 for a year, and q15 for a few months. No call the last six months.

Indiana has 17 per year, but covers 5 different hospitals. You definitely need to consider a lot of factors.

 

[Nathan Steed]

where are you at cortex? Your program seems nice.