1. When was your last RRC (Residency Review Committee) visit, and how long were you reaccredited for?

Applicants often ask me how do I know if a program is "good"… they all look so much alike. Fortunately for you (the applicant), there is oversight of a residency's performance, and this is taken care of by the Residency Review Committee. All residencies of all specialties are inspected at least once every five years. The maximum number years they can be reaccredited for is five years. Should there be a weakness within the program that needs to be corrected, a program will generally be given less than the full five years and will be revisited. Asking a Program Director if they have ever received less than the full five-year reaccreditation may provide you insight that you would not otherwise have gained. Receiving less than the full five years is not necessarily a negative, but it will certainly give you insight as to other questions you may wish to ask.

2. How many of your Family Practice faculty practice OB?

While any Family Medicine residency program you go to will teach you obstetrics, not many will possess a residency faculty that all does obstetrics. Why is this important? Well, to be honest, an ideal program should provide you teaching from both the Obstetricians and the Family Physicians. The Obstetricians will give you the in-depth expertise you should receive during training, but your experience of practice (and learning) OB from a family physician is crucial. How else will you learn what you should be comfortable with once you leave residency, and at what point in a patient care process consultation is appropriate. Your interactions with the mother and family will also be critical, as in all likelihood; you will be the physician for the newborn as well.

3. How did your program do in the recent Inservice Training Exams?

After entering a residency, it's not uncommon for a resident physician to wonder how they will compare to other family physicians throughout the country once they graduate. The concern is appropriate. While residencies are going to look alike (and that is secondary to the requirements the ACGME has for your training), the extent to which you will learn will be largely influenced by those you spend the most time with…and that will be your fellow residents. Being surrounded by quality residents who are not only compassionate but intelligent will provide you with training that will place you among the "best" when you graduate from residency.

4. How does your residency demonstrate its commitment to the residents' education?

Seemingly a simple question, this can be quite a tough one to answer when posed to faculty during your interview process. Financial commitment is one thing, but does the program truly embrace its obligation to train you and perform that obligation in a committed, hands-on way? Do members of the faculty actively present at noon conferences (not just show up), do they develop, present, and teach at workshops that they have developed…and then carry that training into the Family Practice Clinic with the residents, are they encouraging your professional development through example? Look for a program where the faculty is active in teaching.

5. How does the program facilitate my development as a person?

While the primary responsibility of residency is to "teach you medicine", another responsibility felt by the better programs is your personal development. Does the program you're looking at have a systematic way to inquire and assess this throughout each year, do they provide ways in which you can become active within the community, such as volunteering your skills and talents to others, does the entire faculty spend time with you to ask you what your perceived needs are during this incredible three-year span of growth?

6. Are your residents happy?

An invaluable question and one you must certainly ask the resident physicians in a pointed fashion. No doubt about it, residency is a lot of work, but taking care of this work in an environment of camaraderie, support and teamwork is much different from trying to meet the responsibilities in a lesser environment.

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