Questions to ask at the interview

1. What brought you here?

A good way to find out the motivations of the interviewer. Also a good question to ask when there is uncomfortable silence. People always like to talk about themselves.

2. Tell me about your last Resident Review Committee (RRC) review?

Programs that have had a good site review recently will not hesitate to tell you.
(based on 1 - 5 year review, 1 year = coming back for additional review, 5 year=no problems)

3. Where have the residents presented their research in the last 2 years? 

This will give you a feel about resident research opportunities and support in the department.  Is research required?  Will the residency pay for you if you present at a meeting .

4. Tell me about the last trauma patient you intubated?

This would be a good question to ask a resident. Beware of programs were EM residents do not intubate.

5. Tell me about the last pediatric resuscitation you led?

Another question for a resident. One area of some insecurity for some EM residents (peds resuscitations are infrequent). You should find out if EM residents are leading pediatric resuscitation (vs. peds) 

6. How long have you had departmental status?

Although not an absolute, in general EM programs that are part of a full department of emergency medicine (rather than a section of medicine or surgery) have more autonomy.

7. What is the poison control experience like?

Emergency physicians see a fair amount of overdoses and patients from environmental mishaps. A poison control center or an ED based toxicologist usually assures an adequate toxicology curriculum.

8. What kind of EMS experience is available?

EMS is now primarily under the control of EM physicians. EM programs should be base stations and offer an EMS curriculum

9. What training in ED ultrasonography do I get?

This will be an important tool for EM physicians in the very near future, especially in trauma and near arrest patient management. EM physicians without ultrasonography training will be at a disadvantage.

10. How many PCs are there in the resident's room?

This will give you an idea of the financial commitment to resident education. If there are no resident offices or rooms, it may mean that residency education is not a priority or that the department is in financial difficulty.

11. Where do people go after residency?

Do graduates leave the area, stay on as faculty, go into private practice, additional training as fellows.

12. Balance of program in regards to service versus education?

If the residents are "pimped out" to other services and not allowed to study emergency medicine, then there could be a problem. Also have to look at what types of educational opportunities are available.

13. What are your board pass rates on 1st attempt, 2nd attempt?

Should be > 85 percent on first try, if not then what is the reason behind this?