FAQs from Applicants and Info Sessions
All questions here are answered by the residents. The "Frequently Asked Questions" Button linked on the sidebar has another set of questions answered by our PD. If you have other questions, feel free to email us individually. You'll find our emails listed under our Bios through the "Who We Are" sidebar tab.
General
Q: Describe the culture of the program
A: Since you don't get to visit us this year, this is a really good question. Our program is new and constantly evolving. So I guess, flexible? Chill? Supportive? As someone who is actively involved in forming the culture, it's hard to answer this question objectively. But head over to the Residency Life tab and take a look at our Welcome Statment, and that may help you. If everything goes as planned, we'll have other material available throughout the season that will also give a glimpse into who we are.
Q: Do you feel like program leadership is receptive to feedback?
A: Yes. Our leadership are our biggest supporters. As residents in a new program, we're basically expected to give feedback as to how we can improve rotations and the overall program experience, and our leadership does their absolute best to fight for what we want to do. We don't always get everything we ask for, but it's not for lack of trying on the part of our leadership.
Q: Why did you choose Loyola?
A: You'll get different answers depending on who you ask. But for a lot of us, the big draws were the program leadership and how genuine they are (if you've met them already/when you meet them, you'll understand), and the fact that we were drawn to a new program.
Q: So you weren't worried about Loyola being a new program?
A: This is also an important question, but nope. For many of us, the opportunity to pioneer a new program was actually a draw. We get to build the program and make it what we want. The program has been in the works for years and many things were planned out, so we never felt like we were just being thrown to the wolves. At the same time, everyone (leadership included) went into this with the mentality that except for the GME requirements, nothing was set in stone. The program was basically a blank page of graph paper: the squares are there if you need direction, but you can draw anywhere you want on the page. If you want to do something, you'll probably be able to do it as long as you do a little leg work. It's not for everyone though, and we understand that.
Conference and Education
Q: What are your Conferences like?
A: Conferences take place every Tuesday, usually 8am-1pm. Every other week usually starts in the Sim lab where we do mock cases. We also do Oral Board Review cases several times a month as well as small-group sessions and lectures.
Q: Is Conference time protected?
A: Yes. Conference time is protected, so if you are on an off-service rotation, you will be excused on Tuesday morning for Conference. If you are on an off-service rotation where you work nights, you are excused from Conference so you can sleep.
Q: Do you do any teaching?
A: Yes. Residents are required to give several lectures a year at Conference. Seniors are also required to teach rotating medical students during orientations. For those who want to do more, there are other opportunities available to teach ultrasound, and still more opportunities available through (but not limited to) the Education STEME track. Third year (and late second year) residents also teach medical students while on-shift in the ED. This is all still in process, so the specifics may change as we go along.
On Shift
Q: Since there will be more residents in the department, and since the goal is to have seniors teach, will interns still get to work one-on-one with attendings?
A: Yes. EM interns will still be able to present directly to the attending. EM seniors are currently responsible for medical students (who also usually present to the attendings as well). Again, this is all in process so details are subject to change.
Q: How long are shifts?
A: Depends on the shift. Shifts in the adult ED are scheduled for 8-9 hours. The goal is to get out on time, so you are not expected to stay after your shift is over, but sometimes you'll need to do so to finish your work.
Q: What EMR do you use?
A: Epic
STEME
Q: Am I required to do a STEME?
A: No, you are not required to do a STEME track. But if you're interested in one (or in doing a Fellowship in one of the tracks) it is advantageous to formally complete the track as it shows experience and interest in the topic and gives you something to talk about at interviews/on your resume. You can also do a track just for educational purposes.
Q: Can I be part of more than one STEME? Once I declare, am I locked in?
A: It would be difficult to formally complete more than one STEME because of the requirements for each. Once you declare, you are not locked in, but it may be difficult to switch into another track as some are more structured than others, and you might have to make up a lot of the requirements.
