chief residency

Chief ResidencyChief Residency

History of Chief ResidencyHistory of Chief Residency

Some trace origins to Dr. Halstead’s Some trace origins to Dr. Halstead’s surgery program at Johns Hopkins in 1889surgery program at Johns Hopkins in 1889

Others point to the “house physician” Others point to the “house physician” position at New York Hospital in 1791 as position at New York Hospital in 1791 as the origin the origin

Quotes About Chief ResidencyQuotes About Chief Residency““a considerable benefit for programs and a considerable benefit for programs and program directors”program directors”““Chief Residents provide a unique bridge Chief Residents provide a unique bridge between residents and faculty.”between residents and faculty.”““a time of unparalleled personal and professional a time of unparalleled personal and professional growth”growth”““Chief Residency is an exciting educational Chief Residency is an exciting educational challenge.”challenge.”““Chief Residency develops the leadership skills Chief Residency develops the leadership skills for our future medical leaders.”for our future medical leaders.”

““Chief Residency can really SUCK!”Chief Residency can really SUCK!”Ben Clyburn in 1992Ben Clyburn in 1992

Are you a resident or a faculty member? Are you a resident or a faculty member? Loyalties are split. It can be a lonely job.Loyalties are split. It can be a lonely job.

There is rarely a job description.There is rarely a job description.

There is often a heavy administrative load.There is often a heavy administrative load.

Limited training as a teacher, administrator Limited training as a teacher, administrator and manager.and manager.

The one constant is change.The one constant is change.

The Five Dimensions of Chief The Five Dimensions of Chief ResidencyResidency

LeadershipLeadership

Teaching and evaluationTeaching and evaluation

Clinical practiceClinical practice

AdministrationAdministration

Research/Personal growthResearch/Personal growth

Adapted from A Primer on Chief Residency in the 7th edition of the APDIMProgram Manual

Tips For SuccessTips For Success

#1 Have Goals#1 Have GoalsDecide what you want to achieve on a Decide what you want to achieve on a personal level.personal level.

Pick something you want to improve in Pick something you want to improve in your program.your program.

Understand the existing mission/goals of Understand the existing mission/goals of your program.your program.


#2 Understand Your Job #2 Understand Your Job DescriptionDescription

If you don’t have one, write one. Exiting If you don’t have one, write one. Exiting Chiefs and Program Directors are great Chiefs and Program Directors are great resources.resources.

Recognize your strengths and Recognize your strengths and weaknesses and adjust accordingly. If weaknesses and adjust accordingly. If there is more than one Chief, take there is more than one Chief, take advantage of each person’s skills.advantage of each person’s skills.


#3 Get Oriented#3 Get OrientedSit down with the current Chief Residents Sit down with the current Chief Residents before they leave if possible.before they leave if possible.

Ask your Program Director for any Ask your Program Director for any expectations or any anticipated changes.expectations or any anticipated changes.

Talk to your real boss, the Program Talk to your real boss, the Program Administrator.Administrator.


#4 Plan Ahead/Organize#4 Plan Ahead/OrganizePlan for unanticipated absences. Set up Plan for unanticipated absences. Set up Jeopardy/Surge schedules.Jeopardy/Surge schedules.

Recognize that any schedule you make is Recognize that any schedule you make is temporary.temporary.

Post a calendar with monthly duties.Post a calendar with monthly duties.

Document any disciplinary, remediation or Document any disciplinary, remediation or counseling sessions. You may need a counseling sessions. You may need a paper trailpaper trail..


#5 Utilize Available #5 Utilize Available Resources/DelegateResources/Delegate

Let your residents help you with the Let your residents help you with the schedule.schedule.

Recognize when to defer to your Program Recognize when to defer to your Program Director.Director.

Develop a close friendship with your Develop a close friendship with your Program Administrator.Program Administrator.

Let technology help.Let technology help.


#6 #6 COMMUNICATE!COMMUNICATE!

Share your expectations with your Share your expectations with your residents.residents.

Address concerns quickly and Address concerns quickly and confidentially.confidentially.

Listen.Listen.

If you are unhappy, share this with your If you are unhappy, share this with your Program Director or Chairman.Program Director or Chairman.

chief residency

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