Hey guys,
I am a current 4th year resident at Jeff. Sorry for the late response, but I don't frequent these pages much. Figured I'd try to answer to the best of my ability.
1) Operative experience: It's hard for me to say how we compare to other places but as far as my numbers go, I have already met all of my ACGME minimums. I feel comfortable with all the bread and butter procedures at this point in my training. Its tricky to talk about autonomy because no two people will get the same level of autonomy. Autonomy is graded here based on your preparedness and your operative skill so obviously as you progress through the program you get more independence as long as your attending is confident in your ability. We have moved more towards the preceptorship model which helps and I feel that for where I am I will be able to take general call after residency even at this point in my training. Specific examples of the autonomy I am seeing at this point is taking a PGY-2 through cases while the attending is in the room overseeing us. I'll be clear in the fact that the PGY-2 is operating here which is a great experience for them as well as for me. I am getting to teach and learn simultaneously while the PGY-2 gets to start honing there skill. There are points in the case where I will take over if the PGY-2 is struggling, but the more the teams work together the better.
2) Program Personality: Maybe its been different for others as I feel this may be a loaded question, but I love it hear and for the vast majority of people I work with, I have a great time. Some of my attendings I consider to be my dearest mentors and will keep that relationship throughout my professional career.
3) Resident Camaraderie: Orthopaedics is a 5 year program. Personalities conflict sometimes. But that being said, we do get along great. The current chiefs hang out all of the time. My class is actually more non-traditional (wives, kids, etc.) but we do get together for drinks, dinner, and to hang out and do things (sports, courses, BBQ's). The junior residents all hang out as well. Our residency has 30 people in it so its tough to get everyone together but whenever were at the same conferences we tend to hang as a group and have a lot of fun. I would highly recommend looking at resident personalities and seeing how you fit in because those people will be your lifelong colleagues and hopefully friends.
4)Lifestyle/Workload: I don't really know how to answer this. It's not dermatology. It's not the ER. This is a high volume ortho program. We always stay compliant with work hours, but expect to work hard. Lifestyle is good though. Even as a PGY-2 you are getting two golden weekends a month. 3-5 year you have a lot more free time. In the hospital you are expected to work hard. The example is set from the top down as the more senior residents take an active role in teaching, patient care, and administrative activities with the more junior residents in recent years having a larger operative experience. We have physician extenders (NP's, PA's) on all services which reduces scut and allows you to get into the OR.
I have to fully disclose that I am biased and very satisfied where I am right now so take this with a grain of salt. if there is any questions I can answer I am more than happy to make myself available to anyone.
Please don't hesitate to shoot me a PM or an email and I can answer any specific questions you have. [url=mailto]
[email protected][/url]
Hopefully I get to see some of you on your away rotations next year.
