You’ve made it through medical school and now it’s time to choose a residency program.
This is one of the biggest decisions of your career.
Where you do your residency will shape the doctor you become.
So how do you pick the right program? It’s not easy, but asking the right questions can help guide you to the best fit.
In this ultimate guide, we’ll cover:
- Questions to ask about the program structure and rotations
- What to ask about research and teaching opportunities
- How to evaluate the culture and work environment
- Tips for assessing the location and quality of life factors
By the end of this article, you’ll be armed with the key questions to help you find your ideal residency match.
Let’s dive in and set you up for success in this crucial next step of your medical training.
Important Questions to Ask about Residency Programs
1. What is the program’s philosophy and mission?
Understanding a program’s core values and goals is essential. You want to train somewhere that aligns with your ideals and aspirations as a physician.
At your residency interviews, ask the program director or current residents, “What would you say is the overall mission and philosophy of the program?” Listen for themes around patient care, education, research, and community engagement.
For example, do they emphasize producing well-rounded clinicians or is the focus more specialized? Are they committed to serving underserved populations? Is there a strong drive to innovate?
The answer will give you a sense of whether your values will be nurtured there. Ideally, you want a program that will not only support your growth in areas that matter to you but also push you to become the best physician you can be.
Hearing how the mission translates to the resident experience is also telling. A program that “trains excellent clinicians” could mean very different things in practice. Look for specific examples of how those values come to life day-to-day.
2. How are rotations structured and what specialties are included?
Residency is all about the hands-on clinical training you’ll receive, so understanding the nuts and bolts of the program structure is key.
Start with the basics: “Can you walk me through the typical rotation schedule for residents in this program?” Make sure you understand the range of specialties covered and how much time is spent on each.
For your area of interest, dig deeper with questions like: “How many patients can a resident expect to see in a typical week on the [relevant] rotation?” More patients means more experience, but also a heavier workload. Think about your personal learning style and goals.
It’s also smart to ask, “How much flexibility is there in tailoring rotations to a resident’s interests?” Some programs are more rigid than others. If you have a clear vision for your training, make sure the program can accommodate that.
Red flags to watch for are limited exposure to core specialties, unmanageable patient volumes, or little room for electives in your areas of interest. The best programs create a rigorous but reasonable training environment that prepares you for independent practice.
3. What are the opportunities for teaching and mentorship?
Gaining teaching experience and finding strong mentors can enrich your residency experience and set you up for long-term success. Explore what options the program offers.
“What teaching opportunities are available to residents – like leading conferences or lecturing to medical students?” Programs that foster residents as educators demonstrate a commitment to your professional development beyond clinical skills.
One-on-one guidance is equally important. “What formal mentorship programs exist and how are mentor-mentee relationships established?” An engaged faculty invested in your success will nurture your potential.
Some programs organize mentor mixers or have dedicated advisors, while others have a more organic approach. There’s no one right way, but having some structure shows the program values and enables these key connections.
Also consider, “How often do residents typically interact with attending physicians?” Regular face-time with experienced doctors, whether on rounds or through research projects, creates natural opportunities for apprenticeship.
Ideally, you want a program with a range of teaching experiences to build your skills as an educator, and multiple avenues to find advisors to help steer your career. Both will serve you for years to come.
4. What is the program’s reputation and board certification pass rate?
Let’s face it – prestige matters in medicine. While ranking isn’t everything, looking at a program’s reputation and outcomes will give you a clearer picture of its rigor and success at producing capable physicians.
A straightforward query is, “What is the program’s reputation nationally and how is it regarded by other doctors in the region?” Asking for an honest take on how the program is perceived more broadly can reveal useful insights.
For a more objective measure, look at the pass rate for board certification exams. “What percentage of your residents pass their specialty boards on the first try?” While the national averages vary by specialty, you’d hope to see a rate above 90%.
If it’s lower, consider that a red flag worth investigating. It could signal that residents aren’t receiving adequate preparation, or it may just reflect the program taking on more high-risk trainees. Ask for context.
You can also ask recent program graduates, “How prepared did you feel for the board exam? How well supported were you in studying by the program?” Ideally, you want a program with a proven track record of success and deliberate efforts to set residents up to excel on this critical milestone.
Reputation isn’t the be-all-end-all, but it provides a useful data point. Pair it with your impression of the program and insights from those who have trained there to assess its overall strength.
5. What is the patient population like?
The people you care for each day shape the texture of your training experience. Getting a clear picture of the demographics, health needs, and social context of a program’s patient population is essential.
A few key questions to ask: “What is the typical patient profile in terms of age, background, and language? What are the most common conditions we can expect to treat?”
Programs in different regions or care settings can vary widely. If you aim to work with a specific patient group, like an underserved urban community or a large immigrant population, make sure your top choice serves that group.
It’s also smart to ask, “What social determinants of health are most prominent among your patients?” Understanding factors like economic stability, education level, and home environment can help you anticipate challenges and better serve high-need groups.
Additionally, consider how continuity of care is balanced with volume and variety of clinical exposure. “Will we follow a panel of patients longitudinally?” Learning from a diversity of cases has its merits, but forging longer therapeutic relationships is also valuable.
Ultimately, you want to match with a patient population that aligns with your clinical interests and career goals. Asking detailed questions can help you find that fit and feel inspired by the people you’ll have the privilege of caring for.
6. What is the program’s approach to diversity, equity, and inclusion?
Seeking out a residency program that shares a commitment to diversity and health equity is increasingly important to many medical trainees. Gauging a program’s true dedication to these values is both complex and essential.
Go beyond surface-level demographics to understand what concrete actions the program takes. “What specific initiatives or practices exist to support diversity and inclusion among residents, faculty and staff?” Look for things like equity and bias training, mentorship programs for underrepresented groups, and community outreach efforts.
It’s also fair to ask, “Can you share some examples of how the program creates an inclusive environment day-to-day?” A culture of belonging is critical to your well-being as a trainee. Clues may range from the diversity you observe on interview day to how personally welcomed you feel.
For serving patients, try to ascertain, “How does the program teach and promote equitable care for its diverse patient population?” Ideally, you want robust training to meet the needs of different groups and address the social drivers of health disparities.
If you come from an underrepresented background yourself, feel empowered to ask, “What support systems are in place for minority residents?” Connecting with affinity groups, faculty mentors, or the Diversity Affairs Office can make a real difference in your experience.
Remember, this is a two-way street – reflect on how you will contribute to advancing diversity and equity within the program. Make that vision known and see how it’s received. Finding true alignment on these deep-held values will nurture your sense of purpose during residency.
7. What support systems are in place for resident well-being?
Residency is exciting and rewarding, but it can also be incredibly demanding. Long hours, high stakes, and the emotional weight of patient care take their toll. Having robust support systems is a must.
An obvious first question is, “What specific wellness resources and programs are available to residents?” Dig for details beyond vague claims of “promoting self-care.” Are there mental health services? Peer support groups? Protected time for wellness activities?
It’s equally crucial to ask, “How would you describe the program’s culture and approach to preventing burnout?” Ideally, you want to hear examples of how faculty model and prioritize well-being and a sense that struggles are met with empathy, not judgment.
For brass tacks, ask about policies around time off: “How much vacation and sick leave are residents given? What is the process for taking a mental health day if needed?” No one plans to need that safeguard, but knowing it’s available instills confidence.
Also consider, “Are there any initiatives to foster community and work-life balance among residents?” Things like social outings, intramural sports, or dedicated time to pursue outside passions can make the intensity of training more manageable.
Ultimately, think about what you need to thrive during this challenging phase. Whether it’s regular check-ins with a faculty mentor or the assurance of confidential counseling, advocate for yourself. A program that values your humanity will want to support you.
8. What is the surrounding community and cost of living like?
While the quality of your clinical training is paramount, day-to-day livability also matters. A lot. Thoroughly research the location and living situation before signing on.
First, gather the basics: “Can you tell me about the city/town and what it’s like to live there?” You’ll be spending precious free time in this community, so consider how it fits your needs and lifestyle. Is it more urban or rural? Cultural hub or outdoorsy haven?
Of course, location often goes hand-in-hand with finances. Be sure to ask, “What is the cost of living and how does resident compensation measure up?” Factor in big-ticket items like housing, transportation, and food.
If it’s on your mind, broach the subject of safety too. It’s reasonable to ask, “What is the crime rate, and do residents typically feel secure in the area?” Choose your phrasing wisely to avoid seeming judgmental.
Lining up logistics is half the battle – also investigate opportunities for personal fulfillment. “Are there affinity groups or activities popular among residents?” Whether you want to join the local rock climbing club or volunteer at the community garden, having outlets you enjoy is key to avoiding burnout.
Finally, consider longer-term plans. “What is the process for helping spouses/partners find jobs in the area? What are the school systems like?” If you’ll be putting down roots, you want a location that can support your other roles and relationships too.
9. What is the scope of research or scholarly activity available?
If contributing to medical innovation fires you up, or you aspire to a career in academic medicine, evaluating a program’s research opportunities is essential.
Start broad: “What is the program’s overall approach to resident research and scholarly activity?” Some programs have built-in time for research rotations while others offer optional tracks or expect extracurricular projects. Get clarity on the baseline expectation.
For your specific interests, ask, “What ongoing research is happening in the [relevant] department? What role can residents play?” Consider how much autonomy you’ll have to design and drive projects versus being limited to an assistant role.
It’s also smart to assess, “How successful have past residents been in having their work accepted to conferences or published in journals?” A strong record indicates solid mentorship and resources to support your research goals.
For programs with dedicated research tracks or T32 grants, ask, “What is the application process and timeline for the research track? How many residents are accepted?” Treat it like applying for an elite program-within-a-program.
Finally, don’t forget the funding question: “What internal grants or seed money are available for residents to apply for?” Research is expensive and knowing the program will invest in your ideas demonstrates its commitment.
Whether research is your calling or a side interest, look for opportunities that match your goals and level of engagement. The experience of contributing new knowledge to medicine is powerful and well worth pursuing.
10. Can you connect me with current residents and recent graduates?
Congrats! You’ve made it through your list of questions. But to fully understand life in your potential new program, you need to go straight to the source: current and former residents.
First, ask your interviewers, “Can you connect me with a few current residents I could speak to about their experience?” Getting that unfiltered, inside scoop is invaluable. You’ll gather insights about everything from the workload to the social dynamics that only a peer can provide.
To broach tricky subjects, try questions like, “What has been your greatest challenge in the program? What do you wish you had known going in?” Listening to recurring themes and tracking positive-to-negative comment ratios can reveal a lot.
If you’re looking further ahead, request, “Would you be able to put me in touch with any recent graduates who could speak to how well the program prepared them for fellowship or independent practice?” Hearing from someone a few years out lends valuable perspective.
When talking to alumni, look for red flags like, “I wouldn’t choose this program again” or “I had to teach myself a lot to catch up.” You want to hear that graduates feel confident and well-equipped by their training.
As you reflect on these conversations, remember that individual personalities color every experience. One resident’s “too demanding” could be another’s “satisfyingly rigorous.” Gather a range of perspectives and interpret them through the lens of your personal values and goals.
Connecting with your potential future colleagues is an essential last step. Their insights will ultimately yield the most unvarnished, up-to-date picture you can get of your top choice programs before submitting that fateful rank list.
Conclusion
Armed with these key questions, you’re now well-equipped to evaluate residency programs like a savvy consumer.
Remember, this is your education and your future.
Don’t shy away from asking tough questions and advocating for what you need.
As you go through the Match process, stay true to your core values and priorities.
Training at a program that aligns with your goals and supports your well-being will set you up for a fulfilling, impactful career in medicine.