q for seniors about interview formats

[lvspro]

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Hey Y'all
I'm not gonna get an anes. rotation in b4 interviews, and the only hands-on experience I've had is my last month of surgery (liked surg n wanted to rule out others, turns out I liked anes. more) when my seniors let me loose to hang with the anesthesiologists. I'm afraid that during the interview, I'll draw a blank if they ask me any pt care scenarios. If I rip thru millers basics, do you guys think I'll be prepared for these q's. If not, is there anything else you could suggest.

Also, how many programs actually want you to change into scrubs when touring the facilities? I read on vent's post that a few programs had the applicants go in with the residents for a case, which I thought was interesting.

 

[PassinGas]

I didn't get asked but 1 anesthesia pt care scenario in all of my interviews. Now, I did get asked why anesthesia, so be prepaired for that one...given the fact that you haven't yet done a rotation. As far as pt care scenarios go, just describe what you liked about working with the anesthesia guys when you did get to break loose from your upper levels on surgery.

Also...if you read baby miller, you'll be ahead of most other students who likely haven't gotten around to it yet.

Good luck.

 

[Mman]

Interesting. As mentioned above, I'd really prepare for 2 questions:

1) Why anesthesia?
2) How do you know?

Having gone through the process last year, I can honestly say that my anesthesia interviews were far more laid back than the majority of my classmates going into other specialties had to deal with. Most of the questions were "get to know you" types. I felt like they were just seeing how I'd fit in with their department instead of grilling me to see how prepared I was for anesthesia. After all, if they do their job right they can make almost any med school graduate into a competent anesthesiologist.

That said, almost everybody asked why I liked the field. I also got a few questions asking about how I'd deal with the 4th inguinal hernia repair of the day 20 years from now and if I could still get interested and excited by my job.

If I were you, I'd mentally prepare for lines of questions similar to those 2. After all, why is anesthesia for you and how do you know? While I'm sure you've given it great thought, I think it would be very wise to ensure you can speak somewhat eloquently about it. A PD is really going to want to know that anesthesia is for you. It doesn't do them any good to have you figure out 2 years from now that isn't what you expected.


As for scrubs on interview day, it was about 50/50. Some programs just had people throw on the "bunny suits" over their suits. You know, the ones expectant dads wear into the OR for C sections. A couple programs did have tours of the OR that required changing into scrubs. A couple had optional tours of the OR at the end of the day. And I did go to 1 interview that put me in a room with a CA-3 for about 15 minutes and let me ask whatever I wanted (it was a simple case so he had time to answer questions).