APPLICANT FAQ

What is the Detroit Medical Center?

The Detroit Medical Center (DMC) is a corporation of medical centers in southeast Michigan and consists of several hospitals, clinics, and urgent care centers throughout the region. These include Detroit Receiving Hospital, Harper University Hospital, Huron Valley-Sinai Hospital, Hutzel Women’s Hospital, Children’s Hospital of Michigan and many more.

What are the resident shifts like while in the Emergency Department?

Each shift is a total of 9 hours with the last hour being wrap-up and allows for overlapping of the incoming and outgoing resident to facilitate hand-off. EM1s work 20 shifts, EM2s work 19 shifts and EM3s work 18 shifts within a 28 day block. Shift times progress from morning to evening, to night to allow for adjustment of circadian sleep schedule. A chief resident is responsible for the resident schedules at each of the four hospitals.

How does vacation work?

Each year, there are 3 weeks of vacation per year and one study week that is dedicated to either Step 3 or In-Service. EM1s have one 2-week period and two 1-week periods. EM2/EM3s can choose to either have two 2-week blocks or four 1-week blocks of vacations.

How does Thursday conference work?

Every Thursday, all residents are excused from clinical duties between 8am – 2pm to facilitate their engagement in learning. Recently, our curriculum was changed to Flip classroom/small group style that encourages pre-reading of the material and improved engagement. Residents are paired up with attendings to lead small group discussions, case-based learning, and hands-on procedural training. Breakfast and lunch are always provided. Intermittently throughout the year, there are city-wide grand rounds which include EM residents from Henry Ford Hospital, St. John’s Hospital, Sinai-Grace Hospital, and Beaumont Hospital on a variety of topics.

What about Journal Club?

Each resident will host a journal club along with an attending faculty member. This is completed while on your Critical Care rotation as a EM2. A journal article discussing relevant articles to our clinical practice is chosen and interpreted over dinner. We discuss how articles can change our clinical practice, as well as refresh our memories on statistics. It also serves as an informal setting to socialize with hospital staff and other residents.

Can residents do away electives?

Yes– Electives are 2 week intervals every year. There are a few that are popular among ophthalmology, medical education, EKG review, EMS, and international medicine. However, if there is a particular interest you have then faculty will work with you to formulate an official elective.

How does intern year start?

We have a very special introduction to residency. The entire first month as a EM1 is spent getting to know your class, the upper level residents, the faculty, the hospital system and Detroit. There are short 30 minute complaint-based lectures given by faculty to refresh your memory on bread-and-butter emergency medicine. In addition, there will be time to practice procedures such as intubation, central lines, and LPs along with an introduction to simulation. Each intern will do 5 shifts in the ED to get acquainted with how it runs, as well as one EMS shift and one Wayne State University Mobile Health Unit shift. There are a variety of social events, hosted by both residents and faculty. Near the end of the month, the entire residency attends a 2-day retreat to complete team building and wellness activities.

Do residents participate in national conferences?

Yes. Both second and third year classes get time off to travel to national conferences; EM2s will attend the annual Society of Academic Emergency Medicine (SAEM) conference and the EM3 class attends the annual American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP) conference. If any scholarly work is accepted to any conference, residency administration will work with you help cover costs and time off.

Is there a book stipend or funds to purchase learning material?

Yes – Each year of residency you are provided a lump sum of $2500 at the beginning of the year. These funds can be used to purchase any learning materials of your choosing. It can also be used to pay for travel and lodging to and from the national conferences.

Is the benefit package adequate?

There are different packages between which to choose. The basic package includes full coverage at all DMC locations and copays can be covered by the Health Spending Account. You can choose any location or physician within the DMC system. Alternate options are available for out of network coverage. There are options to add dental and vision coverage as needed and are at very reasonable prices. Life and disability insurance are provided at no extra cost to the resident.

What is involved with the “Scholarly Project” requirement?

ACGME requires that all residents participate in a scholarly project. This can include full on research with eventual publication of abstract or manuscript. However, it can also include case studies, written chapters, and be based on your own interests. This requirement is very flexible and can encompass any scholarly pursuit.

Is it easy to participate in research?

Yes. We have a large research team that includes 24-hour clinical research assistants. Our research faculty can work with you to have you join a study that aligns with your interests, however, they will also help you establish a new project based on your own interests. Our research faculty also meets on a regular basis to discuss any upcoming ideas.

Who runs the trauma codes?

Both emergency and surgical teams work together to run the codes at Detroit Receiving. Team leader alternates from day to day, as does the procedural team.

Do residents socialize outside of work?

Heck to the yes! We spend most of our days with our co-residents and frequently go out for post-shift drinks and food. We also have running group chats for people who want to get together on their days off. Many people live downtown and will meet up for dinner and other festivities such as beer festivals, sporting events, concerts, cider mills, and biking. We have a close-knit group that enjoys time together on shift and outside of the hospital.