1. What makes your program different from
other programs, or what made you choose your program?
Three close proximity
(all within 7 minutes of each other) ED primary training sites.
All level I trauma centers and regional referral centers, but
very different practices and training environments. University
Hospital-typical academic center. LDS/Intermountain
Hospital-private referral center for large mountain west health
care system. Primary Children's-busy children's referral
hospital. Essentially, if there is a sick patient in Utah,
Idaho, most of Montana, most of Wyoming, some of Nevada,
Colorado, and the Four Corners area, you or one of your
colleagues will see them as these are the only true tertiary
care centers in a huge area.
2. If not
answered above, what's the best aspect of your program?
See above, plus being able to live in Salt Lake City.
3. Are there any
major upcoming changes to your program?
In Fall 2007, Intermountain Hospital (50 or so beds, greater
than 50,000 per year census (25% peds), brand-new, state of the
art) will take LDS Hospital’s place as trauma I center and
referral center and will be one of our training sites instead of
LDS hospital.
4. Is there
anything you would change about your program if you could?
Small enough things that none come to mind immediately. Good
news is that PDs are exceptionally responsive to suggestion and
have the means to make changes where necessary.
5. How much are
you responsible for blood draws, putting in IVs, etc.?
Never, unless you want.
6. Do you learn
mostly from attendings, other residents, or textbooks? Does this
vary when you do off-service rotations?
Across the board attendings are very interested in teaching.
7. How does EMed
rank in your hospital's hierarchy?
Up and coming. Very desirable especially in terms of medical
students and other residencies with multiple applications for
residency from residents in other fields at the University of
Utah.
8. What are the
perks that your school provides (PDAs, textbooks,
conference fees, meal tickets, etc.)?
The same as most well-funded places-PDA allowance, book
allowance, conference as a senior or when you present research,
relatively good salary, good benefits including disability
insurance you own paid for completely by the hospital, others.
9. How do you
rate your rotations outside of the emergency department?
They vary from good and
improving to first rate. If they’re not good, we don't do
them. With the variety of training sites, we get to pick and
choose the best from each institution.
10. What's the
best elective you've done?
No elective time until third year (2 months).
11. How much does
your program focus on research?
As much resources as you need. No real pressure to spend a lot
of time doing it as relatively small projects fulfill scholarly
project requirements.
12. What do you
love and hate most about the city you're in?
Salt Lake City is first-rate. You live in a medium size city
with much to do without the hassle of big-city traffic, etc.
Access to outdoors is unparalleled with 6 world class ski
resorts a half hour from the valley. Cost of living, while
increasing, is still relatively affordable. Variety of
seasons is great.
13. Please
describe your typical month in terms of work hours and days off.
Variable in terms of rotation. Had a couple of
off-service months where I worked 75-79 hours a week, but never
had work hours issues. In ED work 7, 8, 9 hour shifts with
about an hour of clean-up time after. 22, 20 and 18 per month.
14. How much time
do you spend off-duty with the other residents?
Some spend much-most free time together, others less depending
on families, etc. All get along well.
15. Do you have
any international experience?
No
16. How prepared
do you feel?
Across the board my class will be prepared to be
high-functioning attendings going into a variety of practice
settings.
