
Program EvaluationandInterviewing Kevin Rodgers, MD Indiana University School of Medicine Emergency Medicine Residency
Goals • Review the preparation for interviewing and Do’s and Don’ts of the interview day • Identify and prioritize those components of an EM Residency that potential candidates should examine and rate • Review the specific factors that impact the quality of training
Interviewing • Best time • Keep the weather in mind • Warm-ups • Avoid the first / last week ?? • Number: minimum of 6 / maximum 15 • Follow-ups
Do Your Homework!! • National websites • Knowledgeable faculty, colleagues, IU grads • Program website (inside and out!) • Questions to ask • Questions to be asked
The Interview • Night before get-togethers • Contact numbers • Cancelling interviews • Ask for a “closer look”
The Interview • Listen !!!!! • Repeat questions in order to think • Be succinct • Let your personality show without being too laid back or over eager • Be poised, confident and fresh
Mortal Sins • Don’t be a “no-show” • Don’t be late or fall asleep • Don’t over or under dress • Don’t be artificial • Don’t dominate the interview • Don’t project negativity • Don’t ask questions just to ask questions • Don’t ignore anyone • Don’t hump the Program Director’s leg
Post-Interview • Excel spreadsheet • Thank-you notes / postcards • Match rules • Second visits
Patient Population • Variety, acuity, social diversity • “All Comers” ED? • Statistics • Pediatric volume and acuity • Age / social strata distribution • Managed Care impact
Patient Population • Trauma Experience • Continuous vs “Trauma Team” • Distribution of procedures • Resuscitation leader • Pediatric trauma • Airway management • Who does it / Who’s in charge??
Patient Population • Medical arrests • Other procedures • Admission decision making • Fast Track patients (indentured servitude)
Curriculum • Rotations • EM: #, where, responsibility • Core: quality, respect for EM, faculty, resident quality, education vs service • Electives • Teachers • Who does most of the instruction • Technology • US, informatics, “on-line resources”
Curriculum • Didactics • Lecture series • Specialty curriculum • Reading program / ABEM preparation • Unique experiences • ?? Dynamic / Responsive • Ancillary support • Availability and “turn-around” times
Residency Reputation / Stability • Age: “Track record” vs “New kid” • RRC Accreditation: Citations • Status: Department vs Service • Graduates: Job distribution • Match results: Did the residency fill
Residency Reputation / Stability • ABEM performance • Institutional reputation • “Family Member Test” • Financial stability
Residency Governance / Personality • Resident involvement: Decision making • Committees • Social activities • Camaraderie and attitude
Residency Governance / Personality • Support services • Scheduling • Workload • Moonlighting policy
Faculty • Ratio • Quality, productivity, diversity, availability • Turnover • Quality of teaching, supervision, evaluation • Program Director
Research • Research Director • Financial and Manpower support • Productivity • Faculty involvement and focus areas • Journal Club
Location • Last on a long list • Family and special needs • Safety • Cost of living and housing • Recreation, culture, social outlets
Is the program dynamic and focused on providing the foundation needed for a 30 year career as an EM specialist??