Here are a couple of valuable websites that I've looked at:
Orthopedic basics from the AAOS:
http://orthoinfo.aaos.org/topic.cfm?topic=A00274&return_link=0
A listing of all orthopedic programs in the US:
http://www.orthosurg.net/orthopedic-residency/programs.asp
A site of everything otheropedics, that I haven't used much myself but that other's have recommended:
http://www.orthogate.org/
Showing posts with label getting an orthopedic residency. Show all posts
Showing posts with label getting an orthopedic residency. Show all posts
Thursday, May 7, 2009
Questions to Ask While Interviewing for Orthopedic Residencies
A little preparation can go a long way to showing your interest, this was provided by one of the fourth year students:
General Questions
What is the structure of didactic curriculum?
Is there time allotted for electives?
Do the residents have a high operative volume?
How busy is the ER? Level 1 trauma center? What types of trauma?
Do residents attend national conferences? Is it funded?
Where do the graduating residents go?
Questions for Residents
What are the strengths/weaknesses?
Did you ever consider leaving the program?
How many facilities do you cover? How do you like that? A lot of driving? Any required rotations in different cities?
Do fellows take away from learning experience?
What is call schedule like? How are the call rooms? Do you sleep while on call?
Do you have ample time to read?
How is the balance between autonomy and supervision?
How is ancillary staff? Are they helpful and pleasant to work with?
Is there a lot of scut work?
How is your relationship with the staff?
How do the residents get along? Do you hang-out outside of work? Are there any sports teams that you play on?
Do the residents get along with other residents in the hospital?
How do you like the city?
How are the benefits? Parking? Meals paid for?
Do you have moonlighting opportunities?
Questions for Chairman/PD/Attendings
What are your plans for the future?
How do you see the program changing in size or structure over the next five years?
How long have you been here? Do you plan on staying at this program for the next 5 years?
What is the status of the programs accreditation?
How highly do you emphasize resident education?
How do you feel the relationship is between the staff and the residents?
What are the research opportunities like? Is it required? How is it funded?
How are the residents evaluated?
How do the residents perform on OITE? Boards?
What do you look for in a candidate? How many people do you rank?
General Questions
What is the structure of didactic curriculum?
Is there time allotted for electives?
Do the residents have a high operative volume?
How busy is the ER? Level 1 trauma center? What types of trauma?
Do residents attend national conferences? Is it funded?
Where do the graduating residents go?
Questions for Residents
What are the strengths/weaknesses?
Did you ever consider leaving the program?
How many facilities do you cover? How do you like that? A lot of driving? Any required rotations in different cities?
Do fellows take away from learning experience?
What is call schedule like? How are the call rooms? Do you sleep while on call?
Do you have ample time to read?
How is the balance between autonomy and supervision?
How is ancillary staff? Are they helpful and pleasant to work with?
Is there a lot of scut work?
How is your relationship with the staff?
How do the residents get along? Do you hang-out outside of work? Are there any sports teams that you play on?
Do the residents get along with other residents in the hospital?
How do you like the city?
How are the benefits? Parking? Meals paid for?
Do you have moonlighting opportunities?
Questions for Chairman/PD/Attendings
What are your plans for the future?
How do you see the program changing in size or structure over the next five years?
How long have you been here? Do you plan on staying at this program for the next 5 years?
What is the status of the programs accreditation?
How highly do you emphasize resident education?
How do you feel the relationship is between the staff and the residents?
What are the research opportunities like? Is it required? How is it funded?
How are the residents evaluated?
How do the residents perform on OITE? Boards?
What do you look for in a candidate? How many people do you rank?
Some Tips From the 4th Year Students on Getting Into Orthopedics
Some notes from our 4th year panel last night:
1) Ways to get around your school's limits on away rotations
a) Do a “research” month somewhere you want to go
b) Use weeks off to get a feel for the program, just contact the people at the program beforehand
2) Get a blackberry, iPhone or other smartphone. When it comes time for interviews, hospitals will send out an email to 100 students, the first 80 students to schedule an email will be interviewed the rest won’t
3) How do you have a chance to match out west/east etc (a region where you aren't in medical school)?
a) Rotate in the region
b) Better chances if you are from out there
c) “I like the weather” is a bad answer if they ask why you want to come here
4) Be prepared for crazy questions on interviews
a) Tell us a joke
b) Do puzzles while answering questions
7) Letters of recommendation
a) Most places only want to look at ortho letters
8) Step 1 advice
a) Average nationwide is 231 for those who matched
b) People from have matched with a 217 on Step 1…and a 250 on Step 2, can use the Step 2 to make up for a low Step 1
c) Vastly different views on how to prepare, do what’s best for you
One just read = 256
One did all questions = 255
d) Once you get an interview, all the scores go out the window and everyone is on an even playing field
9) Interview trail
a) Rank all programs that you would rather go to than sit around for a year if you don’t match
b) Don’t rank multiple specialties unless you would be happy doing either, there are lot’s of miserable radiologists that really only wanted to do ortho
c) Be ready to answer the question, “What would you do if you didn’t match this year?”
10) Your school's alumni
a) Contact people for free places to stay, i.e. many doctors will put you up for a month in another town for free during your rotations, the school has a directory
1) Ways to get around your school's limits on away rotations
a) Do a “research” month somewhere you want to go
b) Use weeks off to get a feel for the program, just contact the people at the program beforehand
2) Get a blackberry, iPhone or other smartphone. When it comes time for interviews, hospitals will send out an email to 100 students, the first 80 students to schedule an email will be interviewed the rest won’t
3) How do you have a chance to match out west/east etc (a region where you aren't in medical school)?
a) Rotate in the region
b) Better chances if you are from out there
c) “I like the weather” is a bad answer if they ask why you want to come here
4) Be prepared for crazy questions on interviews
a) Tell us a joke
b) Do puzzles while answering questions
7) Letters of recommendation
a) Most places only want to look at ortho letters
8) Step 1 advice
a) Average nationwide is 231 for those who matched
b) People from have matched with a 217 on Step 1…and a 250 on Step 2, can use the Step 2 to make up for a low Step 1
c) Vastly different views on how to prepare, do what’s best for you
One just read = 256
One did all questions = 255
d) Once you get an interview, all the scores go out the window and everyone is on an even playing field
9) Interview trail
a) Rank all programs that you would rather go to than sit around for a year if you don’t match
b) Don’t rank multiple specialties unless you would be happy doing either, there are lot’s of miserable radiologists that really only wanted to do ortho
c) Be ready to answer the question, “What would you do if you didn’t match this year?”
10) Your school's alumni
a) Contact people for free places to stay, i.e. many doctors will put you up for a month in another town for free during your rotations, the school has a directory
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
Advice on Getting An Orthopedic Residency
Here's a bit of advice I got from an Orthopedic Surgeon on what are the important things to consider when trying to get into an orthopedic residency, it's valuable because it speaks to things other than just the typical "get good Step 1 scores, do lots of research etc.":
"I would tell you that scores on tests are important, but that they would a given, that I would expect excellent scores. There is no doubt that a recommendation by a friend known to me would count highly, but a rotation at the program would count the most. That has always been the case. So, if you spend a month at a program and are knowledgeable, tireless, eager, nice but not an obvious brown nose, competent at procedures, first to arrive and the last to leave, can quote articles from JBJS, you will be a shoo-in."
"I would tell you that scores on tests are important, but that they would a given, that I would expect excellent scores. There is no doubt that a recommendation by a friend known to me would count highly, but a rotation at the program would count the most. That has always been the case. So, if you spend a month at a program and are knowledgeable, tireless, eager, nice but not an obvious brown nose, competent at procedures, first to arrive and the last to leave, can quote articles from JBJS, you will be a shoo-in."
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