Residency Assessment

8/10/2019 Residency Assessment

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CHOOSING A RESIDENCYPROGRAM

Thomas R. Gadacz, M.D., F.A.C.S.Moretz-Mansberger Professor

Chairman, Department of SurgeryMedical College of Georgia

Augusta, Georgia


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WHAT TO LOOK FOR IN A

RESIDENCY PROGRAM?CHAIRMAN AND FACULTY

TrainingInterestsClinical SkillsTeaching Interests

Research CommitmentBalance Interest and Age

Consider the Chair and the faculty. What kind of training dothey have, where did they train, what fellowships did they do,when did they finish training, where else have they worked, andwhat are their clinical and research skills and interests? Doesthe Department as a whole show a good balance in agedistribution and interests? How do these interests mesh with

yours?


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HOSPITAL

UniversityCity/CountyPrivateVA

What kinds of hospitals do residents rotate through, and atwhat level of training? University hospitals, city or countyhospitals, private hospitals, and Veterans Affairs hospitals havediffering patient populations with differing levels of acuity of illness, but they also may function in different ways and thestaffs may have varying approaches to patient care. It ispreferable to gain a wider breadth of experience during yourtraining, enabling you not only to discover what type of practice

you ultimately want for yourself but also to prepare you forwhatever situations may you may encounter.


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CASES

Number TypesCutting edge

How many cases do residents in the program do during their training, andwhat types of cases? Will you be exposed to the cutting edge of surgicaltechniques and practice, and will you see and care for the full gamut ofsurgical pathology? Here again, a wider breadth of experience is preferable.


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RESIDENTS

AttitudesTreatment day to dayPerception of faculty interestOpportunities

What are the residents like? What kind of people are they? Arethey fulfilled in their work? What do they think of theirprogram, both positives and negatives? How are they treated ona day-to-day basis? What is their perception of the facultysinterest in them? What opportunities do they have for clinicalexperiences, research time, and fellowships? What do they dofor fun? Is the culture of the program one that you would findcompatible with your own?


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PERFORMANCE ON AMERICANBOARD OF SURGERY

CertifyingQualifying

How do graduates of the program perform on the AmericanBoard of Surgery qualifying and certifying examinations? Whatkinds of fellowships do they do after completing general surgery training, at what institutions, and with what goals in mind?What proportion of graduates do fellowships, and whatproportion go directly into private practice? Although your long-term career plans may change during the course of yourresidency, as you are exposed to a wider range of experiencesthan you have had before, you will probably want to choose aprogram that gives you a good chance to achieve your presentgoals.

Prestige and tradition can be important, but youcan find fabulous opportunities at most places.


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FELLOWSHIPS

TypesPlacesReasons


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BALANCE

Good variety of casesComposition of facultyOpportunitiesFellowshipsCompatible culture

Have some fun


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PRESTIGE AND TRADITION

IMPORTANT

Fabulous opportunities at most places


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WHAT DO PROGRAM

DIRECTORS LOOK FOR INCANDIDATES?

Academic PerformancePersonal QualitiesLetters

Personal Statement

Interviewers and Program directors will look at your academicperformance, your letters of recommendation, your personalstatement, and personal qualities. ERAS requirements are veryspecific; you should also submit items of interest thatdistinguish you from other applicants.


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ERAS

Fulfill the requirementsSend in interesting items


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ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE

Grades 3.5 or better USMLE

AOAResearch

This is measured by your grades in medical school and yourUSMLE scores. Program Directors are also interested inwhether you were elected to AOA. If you have done research,and particularly if you have published scholarly papers, it willenhance your application.


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PERSONAL QUALITIES

Team player DedicationCommunication skillsLeadership qualitiesCompassion

Attitude/Affect

AchievementCompetitiveness

Qualities considered by Program Directors include dedication andcompassion. They look at communication skills, leadership qualities, andyour attitudes. They want to know about your achievements andcompetitiveness, whether you are a team player, and whether you will fit intotheir program.


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LETTERS OF

RECOMMENDATIONSFrom chairmanFaculty members personal experience

One of your letters should be from the Chair of the Departmentof Surgery at your medical school, or from a relevantsubspecialty chair. You will also want to haverecommendations from faculty members who know youpersonally and can indicate this in their letters.


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PERSONAL STATEMENTS

Why you choose surgeryInteresting experiencesThoughts about the future

Explain why you have chosen surgery as a career. You maydescribe interesting experiences, as well as your thoughts aboutthe future.


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COMPATIBILITY

Personality and Culture of Program

Your personal philosophy, habits, aspirationsand attitude


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THE INTERVIEW

DR. L. D. BRITT

Be honest during your interview and in the materials yousubmit. Be prepared for the interview, both in terms of knowingsomething about the program and in being ready to answerquestions about yourself and your motivations. Beenthusiastic. Be well dressed. Be on time.

After your interview, make notes about the program, yourimpressions and what you have learned. Compare your noteswith your goals, and use your notes to compare one programwith another. When you draw up your match list, becompetitive and realistic. Ask yourself whether you will fit in inthe places you rank highest.


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FINAL ANALYSIS

HOW WILL THE CANDIDATE FITINTO OUR PROGRAM?


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ADVICE

Be honestBe preparedBe enthusiasticBe well dressedBe on time


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MAKING THE FINAL DECISION

MAKE NOTES ON PROGRAM

COMPARE YOUR NOTES WITH YOURGOALS

MATCH LIST - COMPETITIVE & REALISTIC

WOULD I FIT IN

Documents

Residency Assessment