1. What makes your program different from
other programs, or what made you choose your program?
First of all, we are a four-year academic program that focuses
on developing leadership skills and academic interests that will
help in placing our graduates in both academic and community
leadership positions. We have amazing faculty who love to teach
and have various different academic interests. Great location.
Access to the editor of AEM (our chairman, a truly inspirational
man) and ex-ABEM president (Evanston Chief)
2. If not
answered above, what's the best aspect of your program?
Our Faculty--absolutely amazing teachers.
3. Are there any major upcoming changes to your program?
Innovations in conference lectures--new module system with
addition of seminars track--which are aimed at teaching
year-specific skill sets on a topic. Addition of a community
rotation at Glenbrook Hospital.
4. Is there anything you would change about your program if you
could?
There is a 45 minute commute to our community hospital
sites--wish they were closer.
5. How much are you responsible for blood draws, putting in IVs,
etc.?
No direct responsibility. We have great ancillary
support--however, if you want to learn, many opportunities
exist. Physicians do all central line access and EJ IVs. We
are experimenting with US guided PIV for patients with difficult
IV access.
6.
Do you learn mostly
from attendings, other residents, or textbooks? Does this vary
when you do off-service rotations?
Combination of all three--depending on the residents individual
learning style. We have a graduated resident system where the
junior residents present to senior residents and attendings in
order to encourage teaching during shifts. Off-service rotations
are similar in structure.
7. How does EMed rank in your hospital's hierarchy?
Thanks to our chairman, we are a full department and well
respected throughout the hospital. We have full admitting rights
from the ED to the medical services.
8. What are the perks that your school provides (PDAs,
textbooks, conference fees, meal tickets, etc.)?
Meal tickets, Textbook for incoming interns, Class trip to a
national conference as 3rd years (and any other conference that
you have something accepted to).
9. How do you rate your rotations outside of the emergency
department?
Excellent. The advantage of Northwestern is that most of the
residency programs are equally strong. As such, we have a great
ICU experience with well-trained faculty and co-residents from
other departments.
10. What's the best elective you've done?
Electives vary.
Toxicology--residents spend time at the Illinois toxicon
learning from the city's brightest
toxicologist (including our own tox attending Mark Mycyk) in
high yield rounds.
11. How much does your program focus on research?
Each
resident required to do a scholarly project (which must be a
publishable manuscript) by the end of the residency in
accordance with RRC. Further involvement is at the discretion
of each individual resident as opportunities abound.
12.
What do you love and
hate most about the city you're in?
Love--the
summer--great outdoors, great lakefront
Hate---winter, traffic.
13. Please describe your typical month in terms of work hours
and days off.
Interns -- 190 hrs/wk plus conference
2nd yrs-- 190 hrs/wk plus conference
3rd yrs -- 180 hrs/wk plus conference
4th yrs -- 165 hrs/wk plus conference
14. How much time do you spend off-duty with the other
residents?
2 journal clubs scheduled each month. Many residents also hang
out socially with each other. Great group of residents
15. Do you have any international experience?
Many residents have done overseas electives (Mexico, Argentina,
Uganda, Ireland, Peru, England, others)
16. What are your plans after residency?
In the
Class of 2006, 5 residents accepted academic positions and 5
have accepted community positions.
17.
How prepared do you
feel?
Well-prepared.
18. Do you have any advice for current applicants, or is there
anything you wish you'd known when you were applying?
You will have decent training at whatever residency you choose.
Find one that fits your lifestyle.
Program:
Northwestern University