Questions to ask PROGRAM DIRECTOR/Interviewer???

[firstdoc101]

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So now that we have a list of what to ask residents at the interview dinner..... now, what questions should we ask to the program directors and interviewers on the actual interview day?!
ill start:

1. Do interns and residents have input on changes that are to be made to the education aspect of the program and if so, how is this accomplished?

 

[dragonfly99]

You can ask PD's that question, but I think you'll get more accurate info asking the current interns, residents and perhaps chief resident. All PD's are going to tell you that you'll have input into what goes on at the program, but that ain't necessarily so...and their idea of "input" might be wildly different than yours (LOL).

I would ask them if they anticipate any major changes in the program structure in the next few years (i.e. adding or removing research or call months, pulling out of or adding a particular teaching hospital for rotations). Also if you are interested in subspecializing, ask them what % of residents there who tried were able to match into cards, GI and hem/onc (again, might be difficult to get an accurate answer, but what the PD says is sure to be enlightening anyway). I would ask them if you take call or ER shifts during your clinic months and/or consult months as well.

 

[muscles]

Dragonfly brings up some great questions that should be answered on interview day, BUT not by the PD. The reason is that programs will already give you that information during the introductory session of interview day. Generally, you should not ask the PD questions that have already been answered. Now, having said that, if you want clarification of something, that is fine, or if, at the end of interview day, for some reason, you don't know what % of applicants matched into cards on their first try, then ask.
Again, these are things that you need to know, but you'll get those answers.
I would ask the PD questions that you might not get answers to elsewhere. For example, tell him what exactly you are looking for and how his program fits. Ask him why he came to that program and why you should as well. Ask him what his program has that other benchmark residencies don't. Ask him what his perceived weaknesses are of the program and what he is actively doing to improve them.