Charlie - MGH Culture and Resident Autonomy (2020-2021)

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So I did also want to talk a little bit about resin autonomy. So this is a term that I'm sure you're gonna hear over and over on your interview trail. Honestly, it's a little bit hard to appreciate what that even means before you start residency. You know, what I would say is that our program definitely celebrates resident autonomy in the fact that our residents take an incredible amount of ownership regarding the clinical decisions they make in the care they provide for patients. I think the faculty here really respect that and respect the history of the program. I think by you know how often people will lean on your decisions and on your input, even as an intern. One of the things that surprised me when I came here was that as a week one intern, I was in the CCU, and I was being asked what I thought about particular patients as I was planning on those patients each day. Through that, I think you get a lot of feedback toe help you refine your critical thinking skills and how thio really, you know, sort of the nuances between patients and the care and that's being delivered on the floor. You get that only through having a first evaluation yourself and getting feedback on those decisions that you make. So I definitely have appreciated that amount of I would say independence but also supervision that the residency program has afforded me. Definitely I think it's made me a better doctor. We do have a mantra here that's frequently sat on the wards, which is never worry alone. I think that really also reflects the culture of the program and really the camaraderie that is the common thread that brings us all together. So as an intern on one of the big lows, you will take call overnight and be the responding condition for an entire floor. I remember thinking, you know, wow, you know, that sounds really daunting. What I think isn't sad is just how much support you get overnight and how there's always somebody that you can count on Thio be by your side if you have any questions at all overnight. The interns are supported by a team of senior residents, including the night teaches as well as the senior on who is responsible for running a rapid responses and codes on being available to the interns. Well, is the juniors in the I. C. U S if there any questions or any additional hands on deck needed? And that, I think, is the awesome part about being in a residency program like ours is that people are always willing to lend a hand and always willing to provide an extra perspective or a pair of eyes to ensure that patients are safely cared for. So I would say that graduated autonomy and the right amount of supervision is really important for defining a residency experience and whether it's a positive or negative one. I have been more than satisfied on very, very happy with the amount of independence yet supervision that I've had on the floors, and that's allowed me to grow quite a bit, might say over the last three years. So what I would say is that as you continue interview at different programs, think about how particular program might best support your professional or your personal goals. Also think about the culture of a program whether you could see yourself in a collaborative environment like the Bigelow, where teamwork is really at the center fold and also think about the type of co residents that should be surrounded by the level of autonomy that you're afforded and then the support of your particular economic interest. All of these will potentially color your residency experience. I found MGH to be an incredible program, and so I really hope that you consider our program as well.