This is Tim, I'm a 2nd year resident, and just wanted to respond. This is a phenomenal program. Some of the events mentioned are being taken out of context. We are asked to document our work hours, yes, but there is absolutely NO pressure to lie - we don't have to, because we never violate them the way our schedule is structured. If we DO report violations, we are automatically mandated to meet with our PD to discuss what happened, which is appropriate and shows the program is VERY focused on NOT violating work hours, obviously. There is no need to get into specifics or nit-picking here, but please notice I used my name. This person did not, and could be anyone. I'd also invite this person to come talk to me, if they want - they'll know who I am. I would expect, though, that I won't hear anything.
BJH is the strongest program in the midwest, bar-none, and is competitive with any other top 10 IM residencies in the country. As mentioned above me, look at objective measures like match lists for fellowship. Or, look at how many med student from Washington University decide to stay each year, often times 10 or more (13 this year). Med students are usually the most critical of their own program, and a huge number of them opt to stay every year. And these are Wash U graduates who could go basically anywhere.
Websites like this are dangerous because people can anonymously vent, which is cowardly and inappropriate and dangerous. If you are a med student reading these types of sites to figure out where to go to residency, you're barking up the wrong tree. The way to know a program is to do an externship or come to an interview. Make your decision based on this real, first-person experience, not based on subjective, anonymous rants on a website that does not require any kind of validation for posting.
I thought Wash U was overall, a nice program, when I interviewed there. However, I thought the program leadership wasn't exactly "inspirational," the ambulatory facilities horrific (though new buildings were being built when I interviewed), and work schedule/clinical rigor (as described on interview day) as much more cush than what I'm going through now at a different IM program. The fellowship match list was good, but by no means "blow you away." And I definitely don't think going to Wash U for residency is your guaranteed ticket into a great fellowship at a "top" institute (which I do think is the case at the top 5 IM residencies in the country, unless you're terrible).
Couple of points:
1) I don't think med students are the most critical of their own program. I also don't think Wash U grads can go "anywhere" (I don't see any in all three years of my IM residency program, and haven't noted any in the other residency departments in the hospital I'm at). I think, like all great medical schools, there are likely few great students (AOA, high Step 1's) who will interview at all the "top" programs, but everyone else is treated like all the other "average med students" in the country.
2) I would argue that Wash U student staying at the IM residency program reflects one of two things: 1) It was the best program they interviewed at/got into; programs tend to heavily favor students from their own medical school , 2) They chose to stay there because they love the program and location. I'm sure there are Wash U med students that are at the Wash U IM residency program due to a solid mix of #1 and #2.
3) There are a number of fantastic IM programs in the midwest. Based on my interview experience, I would argue that U Michigan, U Chicago, Northwestern and Mayo are all equal, if not all stronger programs. Obviously, this is subjective, but "bar-none" is a huge stretch.
Best ways to evaluate a program (I think) are:
1) Resident happiness and perception of clinical training when you interview (go to the dinner!!)
2) A copy of the fellowship match list given to you by the program (not people saying it's "strong")
3) Opportunities outside of residency (will they fund global health work, will they support and fund you pursuing an MPH or MBA?)
4) Program leadership and support. Having an awesome, cool, supportive PD makes a HUGE difference, builds morale (I never thought this would be important when I interviewed)
5) Research opportunities
6) Obviously location falls somewhere on this list
