Residency plays a crucial role in shaping your medical career, so you want it to be as enriching and comprehensive as possible. In an ideal residency program, the rigor of training is met with robust support systems, meaningful relationships, and opportunities for personal and professional growth.
That’s why it’s important to thoughtfully assess the programs you’re considering, looking beyond what’s presented in official descriptions.
Consider these factors to help ensure that your residency experience is not only educational but transformative.
Three important factors can help guide your search and identify your key needs.
Location is a pivotal factor—and an obvious one, especially if you have a partner or other personal commitments. Selecting a program close to loved ones can alleviate the strain of long-distance relationships, which is particularly challenging during the demanding years of residency.
Gaining experience in a diverse environment is invaluable, as it exposes you to a wide range of pathologies and patient demographics. You have only a certain number of years (anywhere from three to seven, depending on your specialty) before you can practice independently, so you want to make sure you get as much experience as possible.
Programs in major metropolitan areas often provide a richer variety of clinical experiences because of the diverse socioeconomic communities they serve. This contrasts with programs in rural or suburban settings, where patient diversity and case complexity might be more limited.
The benefits offered by a residency program can play a significant role in your decision-making process. Some programs offer perks like:
These benefits can ease financial pressures and enhance the overall residency experience, allowing you to focus more on your training and less on external stressors. Programs that prioritize the well-being and financial stability of their residents not only attract quality candidates but also promote a supportive environment conducive to learning.
Location, patient population, and benefits aren’t hard to discover through basic research. But when you’re evaluating the pros and cons of a residency program, it’s essential to dig deeper than the information presented on the website.
The true essence of a program’s culture and the day-to-day experience of its residents are best understood through personal interactions. Consider reaching out to current or past residents of the program to gain genuine insights about the program, such as the:
The availability of amenities is another aspect often discovered through direct dialogue with a resident. Does the program offer catered meals or meal credits? Though seemingly minor, these types of benefits can greatly enhance your daily life as a resident. It provides a glimpse into how well the program takes care of its residents’ basic needs.
It can also be helpful to understand why current or former residents ranked a program in a particular manner. Consider asking your contact about the reasons behind their ranking choices. It can shed light on potential warning signs, such as inadequate support, unresponsive administration, or stagnant salaries amidst rising living costs.
Paying attention to red flags can be your safeguard in selecting the right residency program. Consider the answers to a few fundamental questions.
When you jump into residency, it’s normal to wonder if you’re truly ready for the difficulties ahead. You may be worried that it will be completely chaotic and stressful. This places even more importance on choosing the right program.
But the reality is that you won’t be alone in this journey. Your residency will have a support system in place. Attendings and more experienced residents are there to guide you, easing the transition and helping you navigate the complexities of hospital life.
You’ll also form close relationships with your fellow residents, as the hectic pace of residency naturally fosters strong bonds.
And while residency is demanding, it does include opportunities to enjoy personal activities, pursue research, or simply unwind. That’s essential because finding the right work-life balance as a resident is key to sustaining your own well-being during training.
When you take the time to carefully select your residency program, you’ll help ensure that the demanding aspects of residency are more manageable and, in the process, help lay the groundwork for a rewarding career in medicine.
Jared Dashevsky, MD, is a first-year internal medicine resident at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai in New York City. He’s co-founder and head writer at Healthcare Huddle , a weekly healthcare newsletter focused on simplifying industry news for health professionals.