Policies

Selection Policy Statement

Our program reviews all applicants through ERAS, the electronic residency application system. We give first priority to graduates of accredited United States medical schools. We include osteopathic graduates in this group. All applicants are required to pass Part 1 and Part 2 of the USMLE tests before beginning residency training. Completed applications are reviewed by several faculty members. There is a standard interview process that is required of all applicants. Selection is by faculty committee after review of each applicant in an open process with residents and all faculty included. Foreign medical graduates are considered for interview and selection if we are able to verify appropriate credentials. Foreign Medical Graduates are required to have scores of 80 or above on Parts 1 and 2 of the USMLE tests. In addition, we require that they have completed medical school within 10 years of time of application to our residency. We also give favorable consideration to experiences in a U.S. medical setting, strong letters of recommendation, and other documents that help us verify the type, scope and quality of the training they have received in locations outside of the United States.

Evaluation of residents

Each resident is evaluated monthly at the end of their rotation using an evaluation form. This form is completed by the attending(s) who is responsible for that rotation. These evaluation forms are available for residents to review. We also ask residents to complete evaluation forms on each rotation that they undergo and provide us with feedback for that rotation. In addition, the resident meets monthly with a designated faculty advisor before and at the conclusion each rotation. This meeting reviews the rotation's goals and objectives, appropriate resources for education, and specific schedule requirements. At the end of the rotation, the discussion centers on whether the rotation met those specific goals and objectives. At six-month intervals there is a general review of each resident with one faculty member. This includes input for all completed rotations and faculty/staff observations of the resident's performance in the family practice center.

Promotion policy

Residents are considered for promotion upon satisfactory completion of all the required rotations of a given year. Promotion from first to second year requires completion of 12 one month block rotations. Second to third year requires completion of 24 one month block rotations. These rotations must be in the required curriculum although the order of those rotations can be changed to accommodate schedule needs or individual preferences.

Dismissal of residents

Our residency abides by the specific disciplinary and dismissal process for residents outlined on pages 13-15 of the housestaff manual. A resident with specific performance problems is given appropriate warning and is asked to meet with a faculty member to discuss the issues. If issues are more serious, the resident may be placed on probation. When actions mandate a serious concern, particularly when safety is an issue, a resident may be suspended from the work setting but may not be dismissed without warning. The dismissal policy must follow an appropriate oral warning. A series of letters are initiated to outline what is expected of the resident to resolve the probationary status. Failure to satisfactorily complete this initiates the formal disciplinary policy that leads to dismissal. A resident has the right to grievance and appeals as is outlined in the housestaff manual.

These policies are reviewed on a yearly basis by the graduate medical education advisory committee and our faculty to ascertain that they are clearly stated and provide a fair process for both the residency program and the resident involved.