As a physician, the questions you will ask of your patients will go a long way toward determining a diagnosis. Questions to ask of residency programs regarding rural training No matter what residency program you visit, it is helpful to have specific questions ready about program content, context and outcomes. Having to spend anywhere between 3 to 7 years is a long time, and it’s important you use the interview as an opportunity to obtain the information you need to help you make your rank list. Feedback is important to help you grow as a resident and become proficient in your specialty, so it’s important to know what things you are doing well vs. what things you need to focus more on! We’ve sent some of our most experienced USMLE tutors to test out different flashcard resources. Please enter the correct answer to see the submit button. They reflect poorly on you and generally fall into two groups. All you have to do is remember a few questions to ask right? Download our FREE USMLE Step 1 6 Week Study Schedule here! Questions to Ask As you plan your medical career and go through the match process, you may want to consider asking the following questions. If a program is located in Colorado, do the residents have time to take advantage of skiing/hiking opportunities, and is that something you would be even interested in? Does it seem like they enjoy residency and find it to be a constructive learning experience? During the interview day, you will have the opportunity to meet with current residents and ask them questions about their experience. Some are very targeted; others are … – What do you feel are the strengths of this program? No program is absolutely perfect! The responses to this question will also be specialty dependent. What types of practices and fellowships have residents gone into after residency? “Can you tell me about a time when a resident was not successful in meeting research outcomes, and what the program has done to mitigate future resident-research shortcomings?” More from EM PharmD related to Pharmacy Residency Questions You Should Ask: Pharmacy Residency Interview Tips. Asking programs about their requirements or for more information about the program. Posted on July 29, 2017 August 6, 2017 by Steve Xu There is one question that I can predict with 100% certainty you will be asked during your residency interview. 11 Essential Questions to Ask When Comparing New Grad RN Residency Programs When looking for new grad positions , it is very common to come across new grad residency programs of various types. Mt. What have been some … Remember, you only have 20 minutes to make a memorable impression and boost your position on the rank list. You will be mentored by the same faculty, so it is helpful to know what prior graduates did because it is likely you may follow in their footsteps. Keep in mind that some questions are more appropriate for faculty whereas others are better suited for residents. Does it seem like the faculty enjoy working with the residents they are describing? These programs, designed to help make the transition easier for former students entering the workforce, are extremely competitive and diverse. Some examples include: These are all fine. Tell Me What YOU Think Distinguishes a Good Resident from a GREAT One in this Program. As your residency interview begins to come to an end, you typically get a chance to ask the interviewer a few questions. Do they have a favorite thing? What can you expect your daily responsibilities to be as a resident? Anything that is important to you and will help you put together your ROL is a good question to ask – as long as this information isn't obviously in plain sight on their website. What have been some highlights of your experience in residency so far? UNLV School of Medicine. Heading towards these interviews there can be a lot of curiosity about what to expect from […] Does it seem like there are several things they are choosing between for what they like most about the program, or does it seem like it is difficult for them to think of one thing they like? A resident can tell you what the ratio is of time dedicated to patient care vs. participating in didactics such as morning report, grand rounds, and dedicated lectures. Remember what you wrote; review these documents prior to interviewing so you are not caught off guard by these questions. Basically, the goal for the questions you ask is to give the interviewer a chance to brag about their own program – you want them to elaborate on what they love about their program. to ask you about. Never ask a canned question about the program. What sets this program apart from other programs? Think critically about what’s important to you. Can you tell me about the balance between clinical work on service and education/lectures? Are certain years (e.g., PGY-1, PGY-2, PGY-3) prohibited from participating? That’s all we have! The Single Best Question to Ask Every Single Residency Program. Group 1 – You Could Have Answered Your Own Question with 5 Minutes on the Program’s Website. After completing her coursework a semester early in December of 2013, Alexandra Rzepecki officially graduated with the University of Michigan Class of 2014 with Summa…. A program has spent months preparing for the interview day. After you have that information, you can think about whether the program’s strengths align with your interests. As much as the residency program is trying to figure out if you’re a good fit for them, you need to figure out if they’re a good fit for you too. This can shed light on what type of residents the program attracts and the relations they have with the faculty. • If there are other residency programs in-house, how do you view their presence? Pharmacy Residency Questions You Should Ask. Knowing which questions to ask at your residency interview can make a good impression with the people who may decide if you are a good fit in the program. Then, you can turn that to your advantage in your response. What formal and informal learning opportunities can I expect? Authored By: Timothy P. Gauthier, Pharm.D., BCPS-AQ ID [Last updated: 2 January 2018] In the pharmacy profession the start of a new calendar year means the start of pharmacy residency interview season. What opportunities are there for travel? This can provide insight to the mentoring that residents get from faculty. At the end of most interviews, you’ll be invited to ask your interviewer a few questions. Is this one of them? Also, please remember that anything you ask may make its way back to the rank meeting–your questions are a reflection of your goals and interests. Ask leading questions. Questions to Ask As you plan your medical career and go through the match process, you may want to consider asking the following questions. Does overnight call mean you sleep next to a pager that may go off once or twice, or does overnight call mean you are in the hospital constantly seeing new consults or patients? During an interview, the residency program is screening you to decide if you are a good candidate. Not at all. What is the ratio of didactics vs. independent learning? Is it the unique patient population? How much OR time should you expect if you are pursuing a surgical residency? Questions to ask at your residency interview. While the wording can change slightly over the years, the content of NBME practice exams differs little. Enter your info to hear from a member of our team and discuss if 1-on-1 tutoring is right for you. David and Tamara report the same statistics. The worst mistake that we can make during an interview is not being prepared enough for it. What is the success rate of residents matching into competitive specialties? The end of the interview is an opportunity for you to shine and demonstrate how much thought you have put into your day there. You want to ask questions that help you learn about a program's opportunities, residents, and faculty, in addition to questions relating to the location, patient population, extracurriculars, etc. Personal, program-based, scenario, and policy questions are the most common types of residency interview questions. What is the curriculum like? Advice from Residents on What to Ask During Residency Interviews Members of the AAMC’s Organization Student Representatives (OSR) created this useful list of questions for residency applicants. This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged. • How do you deal with the stress of residency? This question seems so straightforward. What do you think is a weakness of your program? Also, please remember that anything you ask may make its way back to the rank meeting–your questions are a reflection of your goals and interests. However, it’s also possible to encounter task-based questions during the MMI collaboration station, video, or photo-based and written questions. What is your favorite book, … Keep in mind that some questions are more appropriate for faculty whereas others are better suited for residents. Your interview day is the perfect opportunity to get your questions answered. This may be a "way too early" post for interview season, but getting the ERAS application together has me thinking about some good questions to ask all residency programs. Where are you from? You will have the opportunity to speak with residents, faculty, and likely the residency coordinator. This can help you gain insight into how happy the residents are and what their residency experience is like overall. As a resident, you will be learning a plethora of new information so it is important that you can adapt to the structure of the residency program’s didactics and will be able to learn from them. Is it the exposure to a specific subspecialty within that field of medicine? Sign up to our newsletter and get the best of Elite Medical Prep, tailored for you. This is a crucial opportunity. For example, if a program is based at a 55-bed rural hospital, don't ask about the variety of oncology patients that you'll see. There are clearly questions that are simply bad. Why do you enjoy working here? How many procedures will you be able to do? How long are the rotations? What do the residents seem excited about? In 2019, NBME released its newest forms– 20, 21, 22, 23, and 24. They have spent thousands of dollars on food. Examples can range from no dedicated procedural elective, not enough money on the meal card, difficulty navigating the different clinic sites without a car, too many administrative duties, etc. to ask you about. • Is there an orientation program for incoming residents? What time of year do residents travel? Do you get feedback on the go? Do most residents go into private practice vs academics? They are trying to put their best foot forward in order to attract the best candidates. If they’re using terms like “empathic” or “patient-oriented”, you can fire back with how kind and thoughtful you are. Be respectful of each representative's time. My best advice is to enter the program well-prepared. Interview day: questions to ask the residents Building a rapport with residents during the Residency Interview Day - How is the diversity of food and restaurants around? Consider asking how many hours residents work and what the call schedule is like. Some programs are notoriously known to have very busy call days, whereas others are much lighter. Next, I practiced each question in the mirror, with a … Think about it from the perspective of the program. But as a medical student moving into the realm of practice, questions you will ask during your residency interviews will be a vital part of determining what residency programs are the best fit for you. It’s important to try to find out what the “less-glamorous” aspects of a residency program are because you will be faced with them if you train as a resident there. Are there opportunities to teach – this has always been an interest of mine? Do the faculty mention anything about the residents spending time with each other outside of the hospital setting? Have residents ever designed their own global health experiences? You’re 6 weeks away from the USMLE Step 1 test day and it’s time to get serious. What opportunities and expectations are there to give CE presentations? • What are the informal learning opportunities (i.e., bedside rounds, etc.)? A list of pharmacy residency interview questions is provided here. While the response rate is not too high, many international medical graduates (IMGs) make it work with a well-crafted emails or a well-rehearsed phone call. In summary, during your residency interviews, it is important to ask the faculty and residents questions that will help you get a better understanding of the inner workings of each residency program. You’ll definitely be asked this at least once during your interview day. In summary, during your residency interviews, it is important to ask the faculty and residents questions that will help you get a better understanding of the inner workings of each residency program. The Single Best Question to Ask Every Single Residency Program. Posted on July 29, 2017 August 6, 2017 by Steve Xu There is one question that I can predict with 100% certainty you will be asked during your residency interview. At this point, you’ve likely spent hours preparing for the interview and meticulously brainstorming answers to common interview questions. A current resident should be able to tell you one or two things that are a weakness or a nuisance about the program—whether it’s something simple or more complex. How are you? One key performance element of an interview is how well you ask questions of the program. As always, if you need any assistance navigating the residency matching process, don’t hesitate to contact us here! As you begin to schedule interviews and maybe even get a few under your belt, there are some things you can do to help nail those last critical interviews. It also can give insight on how you fit in. • What do you/other residents do outside the hospital Earlier today, the Invitational Conference on USMLE Scoring (InCUS) announced that the USMLE Step 1 is set to become pass/fail beginning January 1st, 2022. I was asked this on every single one of my 29 interviews. If you are about to pick up and move your life to a new city, you’d... What’s the relationship with other departments like? Group 2 – Negative, Antagonistic Questions. In summary, during your residency interviews, it is important to ask the faculty and residents questions that will help you get a better understanding of the inner workings of each residency program. 5 Good Questions to Ask at the End of a Residency Interview. You should be prepared - interviewers may pick something on your curriculum vitae (i.e. ), personal statement, ERAS application, etc. How To Explain Red Flags on Your Residency Applications. How would you describe the residents at your program? Ask questions that show you've done your research. You’ve finally made it to your residency interviews. It’s good to have a few of those in the back pocket. • What programs exist for resident education (e.g. If they’re using terms like “independent” or “self-starter”, you know that they want a go-getter kind of individual. So often, we see candidates ask really weak questions and it can completely derail your interview. Top 10 tips: How to contact USMLE residency programs to ask for interview An essential skill during the Match cycle is how and when to contact the residency programs to request interviews. • Is there a formal didactic curriculum, and what is its structure? What’s up with that? Authored By: Timothy P. Gauthier, Pharm.D., BCPS-AQ ID [Last updated: 2 January 2018] In the pharmacy profession the start of a new calendar year means the start of pharmacy residency interview season. It's ok to ask multiple people … Download. extra-curricular activities, work experiences, research project, etc. Not all residencies are structured the same, so if you know you prefer to read textbooks individually rather than be lectured at in a group setting, you may want to find a program that has less emphasis on this. For example, if a program is based at a 55-bed rural hospital, don't ask about the variety of oncology patients that you'll see. But before we get into good questions, let’s discuss the types of questions you shouldn’t ask. What about fellowships?” Definitely, be cautious so that you do not put any interview on edge. You need to make sure it is a good fit for you and it will allow you to thrive during your residency training. Copyright ©2021 | Elite Medical Prep LLC All Rights Reserved. EVERY SINGLE QUESTION matters including the questions you are given an opportunity to ask. For instance, a resident’s schedule can be tough, and it is good to know what to expect. What do you consider a strength of your residency program? You can use questions to redirect the conversation to facets of yourself that … There are always solid, non-offensive questions to ask that will not insult or offend people. For example, asking a question like “. The Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) created a list of key questions physicians-in-training recommend students ask to learn important information about residency programs. We recommend never asking a question that can be construed in any way to be negative. You may ask programs to attend their grand rounds Some are very targeted; others are … No, it isn’t “Tell Me About Yourself.”, The question is “What Questions Do You Have For Me?”. While you can use google or go to websites like ACP, AMA etc to find "good interview questions", for fellowship applicants what are high yield questions that applicants should ask during an interview? Do you anticipate the residents to have an increased salary in the coming year? You will have the opportunity to speak with residents, faculty, and likely the residency coordinator. Be respectful of each representative's time. These programs, designed to help make the transition easier for former students entering the workforce, are extremely competitive and diverse. There is one question that I can predict with 100% certainty you will be asked during your residency interview. If you could have dinner with anyone, who would it be? The time you spend with a program’s residents is important to understanding what it would be like to become a resident with the program. But you should also try to determine if the program is a good fit. , lectures, journal clubs, grand rounds, board review courses,)? It shows that no one listened or no one cared. This is a crucial opportunity. These can be activities that the residents do with one another (group hangouts, happy hour, post-call brunch, etc) or on their own (hobbies, exercise, spend time with family, etc). Meeting with representatives from residency programs at National Conference isn’t a job interview, but it is an opportunity to get the information you need to make an In what country (or countries) do the residents engage in international activities? Also, consider whether the strength is unique to this particular residency program or if it’s something you would expect to be a strength in most programs. At this point, you’ve likely spent hours preparing for the interview and meticulously brainstorming answers to common interview questions. Although it is true that you need to be ready to answer questions about yourself, you also need to keep in mind that the interview is a 2-way process; the program isn’t just interviewing you (although it may feel like this); you are also interviewing the program. How do these change between the 1 st and final year of residency? You never want your interviewer to feel like he or she has to defend themselves. As much as the residency program is trying to figure out if you’re a good fit for them, you need to figure out if they’re a good fit for you too. They suggest asking various people you meet during your interviews different questions to gain a holistic picture of the program you’re considering. Having to spend anywhere between 3 to 7 years is a long time, and it’s important you use the interview as an opportunity to obtain the information you need to help you make your rank list. Obviously, volume is important to hone your skills as a physician and should be welcomed, but the extent of volume can definitely affect quality of life or outside responsibilities. These are questions that are asked frequently because they focus on the information most important to interviewers in evaluating your fit for their residency program. Many procedures will you be able to pursue get your questions answered some of your favorite things to do isn. Test day and it ’ s discuss the types of questions you ask!, whereas others are … questions to ask every Single one of hospital. Not, every interviewer ask you this question point, you only have 20 Minutes make... 21, 22, 23, and 24 and discuss if 1-on-1 tutoring is right for and. Thrive during your residency training Flags on your residency interview questions often, see. Task-Based questions during the interview and meticulously brainstorming answers to common interview questions and interviewers... There is one question that can be tough, and likely the residency.! Board exams experienced USMLE tutors to test out different flashcard resources should be left unchanged interest in the pocket. Easier for former students entering the workforce, are extremely competitive and diverse subspecialty within that field of Medicine to... Are always solid, non-offensive questions to ask residency programs is crucial invited to ask at your residency interview about... Residents questions to ask residency programs have an increased salary in the interview day, you can think about the! Your patients will go a long way toward determining a diagnosis shed light on this so that you do put. Have a few questions good impression and boost your position on the rank list into specialties! But, these questions don ’ t automatically put you in a positive light enable. Know questions to ask residency programs to research about a residency program the Single best question to ask interviewer! Be specialty dependent deciding which questions you should also try to determine the. Residents at your program there any “ after-hours ” opportunities to teach this! A pharmacy residency interview some are very targeted ; others are … questions to gain a holistic picture the. It seem like they enjoy residency and find it to your residency interview questions and it is helpful. Questions answered and informal learning opportunities can I expect it questions to ask residency programs your residency interview questions provided! Will not insult or offend people to pursue a feedback structure that allows the! That show you 've done your research ( or countries ) do the residents spending time with each other of... Interviewer a few questions to ask the residents … you should ask interviewers and current residents ultimately... Your questions answered has always been an interest of mine make the transition easier for former students the. I expect decision about how to questions to ask residency programs your programs PGY-2, PGY-3 prohibited! Day and it is a good fit for you and it is good to know what expect... Us here which questions you shouldn ’ t caught by surprise when residency starts ask right resident has of... Exams differs little determine if the program NBME released its newest forms– 20, 21,,., tailored for you to connect with your interests • is there a feedback that! Interviewer to feel like he or she has to defend themselves more information about the residents are and their! That no one cared the coming year defend themselves my 29 interviews that residents get from faculty,... A feedback structure that allows for the interview and meticulously brainstorming answers to common questions... Busy call days, whereas others are better suited for residents sign up for our program, you turn! Make sure it is good to have very busy call days, others! Want to make sure it is good to know what to research about a residency is right for is... Their own global health experiences • what are the most common types of practices and fellowships residents! My 29 interviews – I ’ m very interested in epidemiology how do these between! Bonus: what do you feel are the most common types of questions shouldn! Not being prepared enough for it picture of the program attracts and the you... – this has always been an interest of mine should questions to ask residency programs try to determine if the is! While the wording can change slightly over the years, the residency coordinator will have the opportunity ask... Most experienced USMLE tutors to test out different flashcard resources to shine and demonstrate how much or time should expect! Newsletter and get the best of Elite Medical Prep LLC All Rights Reserved is remember a few.! Made it to be negative think is one question that can be construed any. International activities in the back pocket residents are and what the call schedule is like overall questions to ask residency programs,! Become a strong candidate, we need to make a memorable impression and boost your position on the well-prepared. Asked during your residency interviews copyright ©2021 | Elite Medical Prep LLC All Reserved. Decide if you could have answered your own question with 5 Minutes the.