So just how malignant is Duke?

[9hoursofsleep]

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I've heard scary things. Does anyone have any perspective / opinions / horror stories? I would greatly appreciate any insight, as I am geographically limited and would probably rank their med-peds program.

Thanks

 

[Tar Heel Born]

I've got a couple of friends who are IM interns at Duke this year, and both have described the atmosphere as "not as malignant as the reputation." That said, if you're gonna look at Duke, I'd recommend looking at UNC too. Yes I'm biased because it's my program, but it was the first Med/Peds program in the country, and still has to be considered among the very best. Truly outstanding program director who advocates for his residents big-time. Overall, residents at UNC seem much happier than those at Duke, and you sacrifice little to nothing in terms of program quality.

 

[Art Vandelay]

Duke is not at all malignant! Although, I'm not entirely sure what people mean by a malignant IM program? I'm an intern and I love the program. Our class is awesome. Everyone is so nice and incredibly smart. We get treated extremely well by the program directors. I think I've met like 1 or 2 people in the program who I didn't immediately like. I would guess based on my other interviews, that it is on the more autonomous side. However, after the first month or so, I think that is what most people want. I'm not sure why we have the malignant rep? We don't pre-round or dictate DC summaries as interns. Also, they are very strict about the 80 hour rule.

 

[TommyGunn04]

I'm a sub-I at Duke, and I can vouch for the fact that it isn't the malignant program it supposedly used to be. Reputations take a while to catch up to the reality, and Duke has changed a lot over the past 5-10 years. With it's relatively new and really amazing program director, its relatively new and really amazing Chair, and the 80hour work regulations (which they're VERY strict about), Duke is now a fantastic place to train. It's a VERY academic program, which I like, and the teaching is unparalleled. As the above poster mentioned, the people are really great too. I'm constantly amazed at the caliber of the teaching and the enthusiasm and brillance of the residents. True, the interns still wear short white coats, but this seems to be the only remnant of the old school intern hazing typical of malignant programs. The short coat is more of a tradition now than anything. Just be glad they don't have to wear the white pants too, like the Duke surgery interns. I still laugh every time I see them! In all seriousness though, Duke is fantastic!!!

 

[golgi]

Duke is not at all malignant! Although, I'm not entirely sure what people mean by a malignant IM program? I'm an intern and I love the program. Our class is awesome. Everyone is so nice and incredibly smart. We get treated extremely well by the program directors. I think I've met like 1 or 2 people in the program who I didn't immediately like. I would guess based on my other interviews, that it is on the more autonomous side. However, after the first month or so, I think that is what most people want. I'm not sure why we have the malignant rep? We don't pre-round or dictate DC summaries as interns. Also, they are very strict about the 80 hour rule.

If you don't dictate DC summaries as interns, who the hell does?

 

[TommyGunn04]

If you don't dictate DC summaries as interns, who the hell does?

The JAR or SAR on the team does the dictations (or typed D/C summaries at the VA)

 

[AJM]

True, the interns still wear short white coats, but this seems to be the only remnant of the old school intern hazing typical of malignant programs. The short coat is more of a tradition now than anything.

At least you guys at Duke only have to wear short coats during your intern year! At my program, not only do the residents wear short coats, but the fellows and attendings do, too! It's more of a tradition here, too, but as I've said before, those short coats are not very slimming to the figure.... 😉