I think I have been misinterpreted and wanted to make amends about UTSW... (skip to the end for the precis)
"Translation: you aren't seeing the inside of the OR during the first two years. Learn to love the floor and ICU."
Correction; That is true when you are on transplant, CT, vascular (sometimes) and trauma (and probably true at most other places... interns doing liver transplants just doesn't sound good to me). Not at all the case at Zale, VA, St. Paul and some Parkland services.
Translation: you are on your own buddy.
Correction: categorically false. When you are going to do something, you tell the upper level. They yeah or neah it, and if it warrants, tell the attending. Other services it may be just you and the attending. When you are too green to not know when you need help, then you get some spoon-feeding, but pretty quickly you find out that if you think you need help, you just ask, and you get it. sorry... that was an awkward sentence
Translation: Some autonomy is good, but especially at the junior level, you want and NEED some "say so" from attendings.
Correction: None needed. This is absolutely true.
Translation: there is daily humilation, insensitive comments and a general unpleasant atmosphere. But hey, if you like people "making fun of you", this is your program!
Correction: A poor choice of words on my part. I am generally made fun of (and not in a mean way... to me at least)for being a fan of a bad football team, a bad hockey team and wanting to do paediatric surgery. I am a vocal person, and dish as well as I take it, so I don't mind the humour. I am sure every one of us for one reason or another at some point has made a mistake or got yelled at, and to say that every resident is pleasant and every day is a joy would be a transparent load of BS. At the same time, this "translation" is way off the mark. If you're the kind of person who makes jokes, likes to stick their neck out and can keep things in perspective, I think this is a great place to train.
translation: You'd better be able to answer those pimp questions el pronto or the "making fun of" will continue. Oh and remember that you're on your own so when things go to hell in a handbasket, its important to be able to "think well on your feet".
Correction: Misinterpreted. We run generally VERY busy services, with a lot of cases to do, students to teach/help, staff to answer and conferences to prepare for. That is why you need to be able to think on your feet. If you can't organize your plans, delegate what you can (even as an intern) and be learn to be efficient, this probably isn't the place for you. FYI: lots of other large, busy programs probably aren't either.
Translation: That said, I'm sure there are a great many programs which prepare you for the boards and practice without stealing your soul.
Correction: Though I haven't met any Faustian residents... I think most of our graduates have their souls (and FACS credentials) intact.
Summary: What I was trying to do in my post is give an honest appraisal of a place I am very glad to be training at. It is not perfect, nor is it for everyone. I have interviewed many candidates who I think will make great surgeons but would probably drown at Parkland (not because we're mean and "malignant", but because we're usually so busy) and this probably isn't the right place for them. On the other hand, I have seen (and we have hired) many people who might not have had the sexiest boards scores, or been AOA, but got great letters and just seemed to fit well. We generally get along very well with staff, both inside and outside the hospital, many (but not all) inviting each other for dinners, parties and weddings. Not everyone likes each other, and it ain't a perfect system, but most of us like it, and it's a reason why many people stay here as staff.
I stand for cross-examination publicly, or you can PM me if you like.
ps: I don't know piratedoc, doc02 or castro viejo, but I submit them as examples of people who really serve no purpose in a forum like this, and one of the reasons why the interview process is so confusing. Taking their advice (and unfortunately many others) is like being guided blindfolded down the Rio Grande by someone who's never left New York. When you hear people talk about programs, find out how they came by their info and their street cred... Are you talking to someone who should know what they're talking about, or the equivalent of that guy in your med school class you wouldn't let treat your worst enemy.
