What makes a good residency program?

[lisamed07]

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Now that the interview trail is about to begin...I have recently wondered how to determine what makes a residency program "good" and what makes one "bad"? After searching through the websites for the programs I've applied to, they all sound about the same. The differences I've noted include the curriculum (minor variations), call schedule and maybe a particular "track", ie urban underserved, rural, etc. How can we determine what makes a GOOD residency program? I also recognize that the environment and personalities in the program can make or break it, but does anyone have some advice on what questions we should be asking current residents and faculty at the programs we are interested in?

( I just learned that a couple of the programs I've applied to are undergoing leadership changes--one residency director quit and a faculty member resigned from another program b/c she was burnt out...i suppose you could look at either change as good or bad for those respective programs, but it also makes me leery of putting my efforts into seriously considering training at those places.)

Thanks for your input!

 

[erichaj]

That is a very broad question?

A big part of it depends on your idea of what you want to do when you finish residency.

If you like to do hospital work, make sure that the program is strong on inpatient work. That way you can work as a hospitalist after you are done (if you wanted to).
On the other hand, If you don't like hospital work, you want a program that has a strong focous on procedures done in the office. Things like derm procedures or joint injections, things like that. You want a open minded faculty that is progressive and like to these procedures themselves.

If you like OB, go more rural or inner city, you will get more experience in these procedures. Make sure there is not competition from the ob/gyn service.

If you like pediatrics, make sure the group is on good terms with the peds group in the area and in the hospital. If they don't like fps, they won't teach you much and may make it hard for you to get what you want out of the pediatric rotations.

If you like geriatrics, ask them about that. How strong are they in geriatrics. some physicians make their sole living going from nursing home to nursing home. They do real well with that. But you have to like it.

I hope that helps.

 

[lisamed07]

I guess my interests include OB, pediatrics, women's health, preventive medicine, alternative/complementary medicine such as acupuncture, and geriatrics. And hospital work versus outpatient work? I like them both, especially if I am busy and know what i am doing!

 

[chibihamsta]

i also had this question on how to choose a residency, i think it helps to know how busy the service will be, ie how many FP admissions you get, how many pts you will typically see in the clinic per day (8 pts vs 15), how diverse is the pt population that they serve? the program may or may not be able to give you stats on this. they may have these numbers for the past month. how much research is done by residents, and is there a fellowship offered there? no matter what program you ask, they will say they have strong emphasis on geriatrics or peds. no one will say they are weak in a certain area. you may or may not also choose a program based on whether they have EHR in place or not.

 

[NDMD]

Edited due to controversy created by post

 

[FPforLife]

NDMD you are a complete egocentric *****. Actually your probably still an undergrad. Some of the best docs I've worked with havd been D.O's Not to say that I haven't worked with fine MD's. The letters behind your name or where you went to med school determines little of how good a doc you are. One of the worst docs I ever had the experience of being around went to Yale. You could have taken all her talent and it wouldn't fill a thimble. Personally I am rotating with the Mayo Clinic and will be interviewing with them for a residency slot. Oh but I am just a humble D.O.

 

[deleted87716]

NDMD you are a complete egocentric *****.

(Putting on moderator hat) AHEM...!

Personal attacks are against SDN's Terms of Service (TOS). Think it if you want, but don't write it.

 

[Saluda]

What is a "good number" of deliveries or rotations for a "strong OB" experience??

 

[JackBauERfan]

What is a "good number" of deliveries or rotations for a "strong OB" experience??

5802

haha i couldnt' resist!

 

[sophiejane]

The things I looked at prior to applying were:

1) Number of FMGs (preferably none)
2) Number of DOs (preferably none)
3) Unopposed
4) Lots of OB

That's too bad, because some of the best unopposed allopathic programs for FM in the country have a proportional number of DOs, approximately reflecting the percentage of DOs in family practice. Oddly, a number of them end up as chief resident...hmmm...

http://www.venturafpr.com/residents.htm

http://www.cchealth.org/groups/residency/people_residents.php

http://www.jpshealthnet.org/education/residency-family_residents.asp

http://www.utmem.edu/UTFamJac/residents.php

http://www.ohsu.edu/som/fammed/residency/04class.shtml
(this one is amusing--somehow, one of their "MDs" graduated from an osteopathic school...)

...zzzz...I'm getting bored with this...goodnight...

 

[sophiejane]

Now that the interview trail is about to begin...I have recently wondered how to determine what makes a residency program "good" and what makes one "bad"? After searching through the websites for the programs I've applied to, they all sound about the same. The differences I've noted include the curriculum (minor variations), call schedule and maybe a particular "track", ie urban underserved, rural, etc. How can we determine what makes a GOOD residency program? I also recognize that the environment and personalities in the program can make or break it, but does anyone have some advice on what questions we should be asking current residents and faculty at the programs we are interested in?

( I just learned that a couple of the programs I've applied to are undergoing leadership changes--one residency director quit and a faculty member resigned from another program b/c she was burnt out...i suppose you could look at either change as good or bad for those respective programs, but it also makes me leery of putting my efforts into seriously considering training at those places.)

Thanks for your input!

Lisa,

There was a similar thread that I started not too long ago, but apparently we can't go back nearly as far as we used to be able to when searching old threads.

Anyway, you really have to prioritize what is important to you in a program. There are so many factors. Good for you may not be good for someone else. What do you want your practice to look like? Mostly younger people, preventative care? Geriatrics? Some OB? Do you want to do a fellowship? Small town, big city? Then start looking at programs as they relate to your personal priorities, but you are right...they are all very similar. I think one good thing for any program is having high volume admissions and good variety in patient demographic.

On that old thread, Kent posted a link to questions to ask on interviews....maybe he could do that again?

 

[andwhat]

The things I looked at prior to applying were:

1) Number of FMGs (preferably none)
2) Number of DOs (preferably none)
3) Unopposed
4) Lots of OB

yeah that is quite arrogant. I smell a troll. And to the moderator I think that comments such as this are highly inappropriate, and do not stimulate active discussion.
anyways whats a good program, good preceptors and most of all good program director, interested in expanding the program and teaching and strong on didactics. Alot of one on one teaching, residents are friendly and its a comfortable environment to work in, such as my program at this very moment. You cannot possibly find a program with no small kinks in my opinion. However the most important things I have mentioned above. Strong in academics, medical students, plenty of staff and faculty, well organized grand rounds and noon conferences, etc. The D.O.s I work with are awesome, very knowledgeable and extremely hard working.

 

[deleted87716]

And to the moderator I think that comments such as this are highly inappropriate, and do not stimulate active discussion.

Your comments are duly noted. However, an unpopular opinion is not necessarily a violation of SDN's TOS, provided it's not a personal attack or hate speech.

 

[andwhat]

Your comments are duly noted. However, an unpopular opinion is not necessarily a violation of SDN's TOS, provided it's not a personal attack or hate speech.

thanks.

 

[deleted87716]

On that old thread, Kent posted a link to questions to ask on interviews....maybe he could do that again?

I'm not sure if this is the same link, but it's a good resource:

Don't Forget to Ask - Advice from Residents

 

[NDMD]

Anyway, you really have to prioritize what is important to you in a program. There are so many factors. Good for you may not be good for someone else.

Exactly. Different people have different priorities and wants. Sorry to ruffle so many feathers. I deleted my original post due to the controversy created .