University of Iowa questions

[gasapplicant]

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Interviewed there a few weeks back and I really want to rank this program highly but I had some lingering questions for current/former residents (PM me if you don't want it on here for obvious reasons):

1. Why only a 3 year accreditation cycle? According to the PD they are in the "top tier" of programs and have been very stable with the same chair for many years, so this doesn't fit to me.

2. How is the new program director? Improvement or not vs old PD?

3. Can you give an honest appraisal of work hours? I understand the moonlighting system and it sounds really intriguing, but I did not feel that I got a good answer for what time you are done on an avg day in the ORs. Many days past 6 or 7?

4. Issues with the program being an SRNA program as well? Do CRNAs relieve residents or do residents relieve CRNAs?

5. Are people happy at the program? How is living in Iowa City?

Thanks for help with any/all of these questions.

 

[hawkfan]

finished residency at iowa and LOVED it. Very few complaints, none of them really serious.
1. Dont know about the accreditation cycle. I thought it was 5 years but honestly didn't ever pay much attention to it. When they switched from Brown to Todd (as chairman) a bunch of people left and they had some problems with the residency. Residents didn't like all the changes and made sure their disapproval was made known and it actually led to bigger problems. Those have been resolved. I was there with the unhappy residents. They are gone. I would say 95% of the residents are now VERY happy with the program.
2. New program director will do a good job. The old one inherited many problems and fixed most of them and did a great job doing it. However, she got virtually no credit for her hard work and she was ready to be done (IMO). The new one came in kind of green as far as residency directors and most were nervous. She has done a good job so far. She will work nonstop to make the program better.
3. Work hours depend on your rotation. Normal OR rotation, 50 to 60 hours per week. Maybe not that many some weeks. Maybe more if you have a weekend call in there. Occasionally there past 6, rarely past 7. I can count on my two hands the number of times I was there past 7. Like everywhere, it's kind of the luck of the draw as to who is going to be there late. Some weeks you just get screwed. Others you're golden. I would say on average I was out between 4 to 5. Like I say, occasionally you will be there later.
During the ICU, you'll work more like 70 yo 80 per week. It's a hard rotation. ICU at Iowa is top-notch as far as learning. I always dreaded going there though. Very sick patients and lots of call.
Overall, i think I might have averaged 60 hours per week through my residency with ICU in there. OB has some longer hour weeks too, but it doesn't seem that bad because you'll have slow days with time to kick back and read or watch TV in the resident's lounge.
4. No issues with SRNAs. They do most of their rotations away. Never had a good case taken by and SRNA or CRNA. NEVER.
Mostly you get relieved by CRNAs. The exception is if you are on nights, you may relieve a CRNA to go home since you'll be there all night. Otherwise, I don't think I ever relieved a CRNA.
5. People are now happy. It wasn't always the case, but is now. Iowa City is a great. Don't kid yourself, it isn't like Chicago or New York. It's still a small town. But there is LOTS to for a small town. Most people own there own house. There is virtually no traffic.

They do really care about you as a resident there. One example: it isn't that big of deal, but they just remodeled the resident lounge and actually made it twice as big. They didn't need too. No one was asking for it. They just did it. That lounge is nice. I can't tell you how nice it is to be able to go up there and speak your mind openly without fear of staff or anyone else hearing it.

Drawbacks: Parking sucks. period. Unless you live close enough to walk, plan on being pissed about parking. It will not change.
The food isn't that great.
Didactics were only OK.

 

[gasapplicant]

This is great stuff. Thanks.

If any other current/former residents have anything else to say (either negative or positive) please post it up for us so we can make an informed decision.