How long are shifts?
We work 8 hour shifts. An additional hour is scheduled beyond this for completion of dictation and patient duties.
Do you work one-on-one with attendings?
Yes, you will always work directly with an attending from your first day as an intern throughout all three years.
Where do most residents live?
Most residents live in the Royal Oak/Ferndale area (a suburb about 10-15 minutes away) or Downtown/Midtown Detroit (about 10 minutes away). But we also have representation in other surrounding suburbs.
Do you feel safe at work and in Detroit?
Without question – absolutely yes. DMC takes security very seriously, and there are always several security officers in the Department. We park in a badge-access gated lot directly connected to the hospital so getting to and from your car late at night is easy and safe. DMC security officers will even come to you if your car breaks down within several miles of the hospital.
Do you work EMS shifts?
You will work several EMS shifts, (or “ride-alongs”), if you choose this as your elective and we are actively working to reintegrate it into our curriculum for all residents. The DMC EMS Fellowship is based out of SGH, and it’s very easy to increase your exposure if this is your area of interest.
Do residents have to work a ‘fast track’ or ‘urgent care’ area?
This is a recent change where we are now integrating 1-2 shifts per block only in PGY-3 year in our “fast track” area, which is usually covered by a PA or NP. As the patients we see in the rest of the department on shift are so sick, this gives us exposure to more minor complaints to ensure our competence in this area. However, you can always pick up patients in our fast track area during any shift if you choose. We do not have a graduated responsibility curriculum.
How’s the food?
Our cafeteria provides a 24 hour Subway and vending machines. Different rotating local guest restaurants are available daily in addition to standard cafeteria options during regular work hours. And, most importantly, there’s free coffee for residents every morning. Residents are provided with a meal stipend every 6 months, which can go towards the cafeteria, the gift shop (snacks, coffee, soups), or Papa Joes (a grocery store found in the city of Birmingham and in DRH downtown).
Do you see pediatric resuscitations?
Yes. Due to the high percentage of pediatric patients we see, we see a large number of pediatric codes – medical and trauma – and are fully equipped, trained, and prepared to handle them. We have a dedicated pediatric resuscitation bay stocked with everything we need to care for our smallest patients.
Is the level II trauma center designation an issue?
Not at all. Detroit EMS triages runs based on location, not trauma center level. We actually receive more priority 1 runs – “life and limb threatening” – than any of the other EDs in Detroit.
Do you use a graduated responsibility model?
No. You will perform the majority of the procedures as an intern because our seniors have already done so many, that they will gladly give them up and help teach the interns. Our emergency department is not divided based on acuity, so residents at any level of training will have the opportunity to pick up the sickest of the sick. Our resuscitations are primarily run by PGY-2 and PGY-3, but interns begin running codes toward the end of the year.
Can you attend annual conferences?
Yes. You will attend SAEM or CORD and ACEP conferences during your residency, which is fully covered with your academic stipend. Additionally, you can travel to any conference where your work has been accepted and the cost is covered by the residency.
Is research required?
Yes. Each resident is required to complete a quality improvement and scholarly project. We have very supportive staff to help facilitate ideas as well as connections with Wayne State, which offers a variety of projects in need of researchers.
What is there to do in Detroit?
Check out any of our ongoing sporting events, the Detroit Institute of Art, the Detroit International Riverfront bordering Canada, or Campus Martius if you’re looking for leisurely strolls. Go Axe throwing (exactly what it sounds like) or Fowling (imagine football and bowling together) for the more involved. Grab drinks at Detroit’s many breweries or distilleries if you’re thirsty or ask any of us for suggestions regarding food– because most of us have too many– if you’re hungry.
What is your board pass rate?
Our residents have done well historically with their boards, with a >95% pass rate across the years!
