Originally posted by 500gp
I have heard that Tampa's ED recently had some shake ups, and that a private group of docs now run it. I have heard from a number of sources, some credible, that their accred. is up for review because of the questions that arise when a private group runs a residency program.
Is this at all true? What have you guys heard?
Thanks.
I should be able to answer your question. What the issue is about that everyone hears in the rumor mill is that the program is run by a private organization. Well, sort of true, sort of not. The physicians who work in the ED are employees of Team Health, which is a large contract organization. Some EM residency physicians are employed by the hospital, some by the University, some by their own private entity. Our ED physicians, here at USF/Tampa General Hospital, are employees of Team Health.
Does this affect the residents at all? I would say no. Having been here almost five months, I can say that there is no difference between our training and others (except we are a smaller program). Our attendings are great, love to teach, and are all dedicated to our education. One of our attendings, who has been in Tampa for years, during a busy busy shift, was presented a patietn by a colleague of mine, but it was about 2 minutes away from the attendings sign out. The intern apologized, as he should have hit up another attending, but good old Dr. O said "Listen, I am so so so so so so so so glad you're here, I have waited EIGHT YEARS to have you guys!!!!!!!!" And proceeded to staff the patient.
There is no such "accredidation review" going on. We are up for review in 3 or 4 years (not really sure) just like 25% of the programs out there. I have no reason to fear that we will not get accredidated.
There may be one positive about having Team Health in the picture of our training (this is probably the only difference we have with other programs). Every once in a blue moon we have CEOs and Chief Medical Officers adn what-not from the company come down and talk to us about billing, contract groups, liability, risk management, etc. Also on our ED Administration rotation, we will be allowed to fly to any of the major Team Health offices for a week and spend soem time to learn how billing really works, contract groups, recruitment, etc. Definately a unique experience that most places don't offer.
As for our accredidation, I belive when I interviewed we were given five year provisiional accredidation (much like any other new program out there). I have no reason to fear any problems with accredidation. Our PD, Dr. O'Keefe, has successfully run another EM program (one that a few years ago consistently scored #1 in EM inservice exams), and our second in charge, Dr. Orban, was PD at UCLA and Directors at other EDs.
I would strongly suggest either doing a rotation or atleast attending your interview at USF, we are a GREAT program with a lot to offer:
Pros: Large Urban (beautiful!) hospital, extremely varied pathology (we treat almost all the indigent from Tapma but are also in the yuppie part of town so it is split), almost all other residents are here at USF, new ED in 2 years, excellent attending=resident rapport/teaching, some of the best attendings out there... I think a strong Pro is the Team Health association, I've learned a lot about CMGs already (maybe I don't need to know it now as an intern but its definately an experience most don't get)... No state income tax... free food, great benefits... and its in Tampa!
Cons: Small program, we are only going to be 18 strong when we are full. Our ED now (the physical environment) is about average. 50 beds or so but definately not a flashy new and cool ED, but it will be in two years.
Any ?s lemme know.
Q
