Residents Responsibility and Evaluation

Responsibilities gradually increase as residents progress through the program. First-year residents work at mastering clinical and technical skills, providing direct patient care under senior supervision. During the second year, increasing responsibility is given for supervision and teaching of junior residents and students, with an increased emphasis on acquisition of knowledge and mastery of clinical problem-solving skills. Third-year residents are expected to assume responsibility for an entire service under attending staff supervision, including clinical decision-making and teaching of junior team members.

Residents take call every fourth night throughout most of the three-year program. Residents assigned to the Emergency Room work in twelve-hour shifts. Whenever possible, residents are excused early post-call. There are two elective months without call in the third year. Ample moonlighting opportunities are available for senior residents with approval of the Program Director.

Resident performance is evaluated monthly by attending staff and senior residents. The Program Director counsels each resident individually relative to performance and progress quarterly in the first year and semi annually thereafter. All residents take the annual In-Training Examination given by the American Board of Pediatrics. Performance of graduates on the ABP's certifying exam is monitored closely.

Residents evaluate attendings and service assignments on a monthly basis in addition to an annual overall program evaluation.