Biomedical subjects

RW Wolford

Publications and source records attributed to RW Wolford.

3 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2000

Emergency medicine residencies: A descriptive study of program structure

The steady growth in EM residency programs reflects the desirability of EM as a specialty area for training. However, a profile of programs offered nationwide is not available. OBJECTIVE: To characterize emergency medicine (EM) programs nationwide according to program format, curriculum, and opportunities for subspecialty training. METHODS: In this descriptive study, U.S. emergency medicine residency curriculums were evaluated electronically using SAEM and FRIEDA residency information websites. Data collected included program format, hospital size and volume, rotation durations, curriculum and electives offered. RESULTS: The most common format (72%, n = 87) is PGY 1, 2, 3 and PGY 2, 3, 4 accounted for 18% (n = 22) and PGY 1, 2, 3, 4 for 10% (n = 12). The average length of training in the ED is 19 months (range 7-40). Average general pediatric training is 1.8 months (range 0-5). The average number of rotations outside the primary site is 4.9 (range 0-19) and elective rotation time and topics varied considerably. Opportunities for air medical training differed by program format (82% of PGY 1-3, 79% of PGY 1-4, 75% of PGY 2-4) (table 11-1). CONCLUSIONS: There is substantial variation in curriculum, in subspecialty exposure, and in opportunity for electives for residents depending on program format and location.

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PubMed2000

Emergency medicine residency director perceptions of the resident selection process

OBJECTIVE: To assess perceptions of emergency medicine (EM) program directors (PDs) of the resident selection process. METHODS: PDs of 120 EM residencies were mailed a 22 question survey immediately following the 1999 match. (Applicants interviewing in more than one specialty and post-interview communications were areas of interest). Non-respondents received a second mailing. RESULTS: Ninety-eight (81. 7%) completed surveys were returned. Five PDs felt that interviewing in more than one specialty was ethically wrong, while most felt multi-specialty interviews were a system byproduct (42%) or that there was nothing wrong (41%). Eighty-one percent of PDs felt the applicant's rank order would be negatively affected if the applicant disclosed interviewing in >1 specialty. Forty-seven percent of PDs (always or frequently) told applicants to keep in touch if interested in the program. However, 88% of PDs were skeptical or did not believe an applicant's communicated intent to rank the program 'high,' nor did this communication influence an applicant's rank order (75%). Forty-two percent of PDs reported informal commitments by applicants. PDs frequently felt lied to by applicants (always (4%), frequently (42%), sometimes (42%)). Applicants often ask how the program intends to rank them. Highly ranked applicants receive positive responses from 61% of PDs vs. 33% of PDs who give negative responses to low ranked applicants. Ten percent of PDs offer residency positions outside of the match. CONCLUSIONS: Applicants who interview in >1 specialty are viewed negatively by PDs. Post-interview communications by applicants are viewed with skepticism. Gamesmanship is practiced commonly during the resident selection process.

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PubMed2000

Resident procedure and resuscitation tracking using a palm computer

Resident procedure and resuscitation tracking is an onerous task required for residency accreditation and for future hospital privilege applications by the resident. To date, most tracking systems have been somewhat cumbersome and prone to data loss (forms not being filled out, recorded, etc.). Our residency program uses a palm computer database tracking system utilizing Palm III (3Com) hardware and a custom written data collection form utilizing an inexpensive, commercially available software package (Pendragon Forms (version 2), Pendragon Software Corporation, Libertyville, IL). Every resident receives a Palm III on entry into the residency. Residents enter basic demographic data and record procedures and resuscitations into the Palm III after each encounter. Generally, each patient logged requires approximately one minute for data entry. On a frequent basis, the resident's Palm is 'HotSync-ed' and the recorded data transferred to the program's central computer. Resident data are easily manipulated and reports are generated using a common, relational database program (Access97, Microsoft Corporation, Redmond, WA). We have found this system to be relatively inexpensive, to improve data capture, to reduce demands on secretarial time, and to allow improved tracking of resident procedure and resuscitation experiences.

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