Pediatrics at Oakland

Frequently Asked Questions


  1. How much discretion will I have to make clinical decisions?
  2. Because this is a small program, does that mean residents take more call?
  3. How much contact will I have with the faculty?
  4. Can I get into a fellowship if I train at Kaiser?
  5. Are there research opportunities at Kaiser?
  6. Will I get enough specialty experience?
  7. Do the residents get along?
  8. Will I have time for a "life" outside of residency?
  9. What is Kaiser Permanente looking for in applicants?

1. How much discretion will I have to make clinical decisions?

Residents and attendings at Kaiser Oakland are not limited in the way they practice. The health care provider, not an accounting department, decides which tests, medicines, and referrals are appropriate. Because Kaiser Permanente is an integrated system of care, physicians do not need to waste their time seeking authorization from insurance companies. Insurance coverage and billing issues are left to others, while practicing medicine is left to you.

2. Because this is a small program, does that mean residents take more call?

No. Call is no more than every 4th night on average over any given month. Because we have only one service to cover (whereas larger programs may have several), residents are not stretched too thin. As mentioned above, there is 1 call free month the intern year, 1 call free month the second year, and 2 call free months the third year.

3. How much contact will I have with the faculty?

Because of the small size of our program, faculty are very accessible and residents work with them closely. Residents on electives work one-on-one with the subspecialty attendings for an entire month. A core group of eight attendings cover our inpatient service and is solely responsible for teaching and advising the residents during the day. Kaiser Permanente is about caring for patients, and attendings and residents work side-by-side.

4. Will I get enough specialty experience?

While not a university-based hospital, Kaiser Permanente Oakland is an academic institution serving as the Northern California Regional Referral Center for most specialties including hematology/oncology, endocrinology, genetics, and cystic fibrosis. In addition, most pediatric subspecialties are available at Oakland, helping to ensure that graduating residents are well prepared for subspecialty training.

5. Can I get into a fellowship if I do my training at Kaiser?

Approximately 20% of our residents will pursue fellowship training. As stated above, while we are not a University-based Hospital, Kaiser Oakland is an academic institution and the residents have ample opportunity to work closely with a wide variety of subspecialists. Our residents have been very successful in getting into fellowship training programs, and typically get into one of their top choices.

6. Are there research opportunities at Kaiser Oakland?

There are many opportunities to pursue research during your residency training. Kaiser Permanente Northern California is home to our Division of Research. The DOR was founded in 1961, and today its staff of over 400 is actively involved with over 220 active research projects. The DoR and our residency programs have an established relationship, and residents who require access to patient databases, statistics, and other analytical services can contact the DoR for assistance in project planning, data collection and processing. Many of our faculty members are involved in ongoing research projects. Residents may pursue research on either a longitudinal basis, or as an elective block.

7. What is the "feel" of the program - do the residents get along?

The residents traditionally form a very close-knit group and many consider the other residents their extended family. We have social gatherings, movie nights, and picnics where residents can relax and spend time with one another in a non-work setting. We also have a once monthly peer support session where residents can talk with each other about whatever is on their mind.

8. Will I have time for a "life" outside of residency?

There is ample time to be with your friends and family and enjoy the area. Post-call residents go home after sign-out in the morning or, if on service, after a half-day and you always have at least one weekend a month completely free of work responsibilities. We also try to accommodate special events and needs in your life. We believe residency is an intense time to work hard and learn, but should not exclude other important parts of your life.

9. What is Kaiser Permanente looking for in applicants?

A strong academic record is important, but we are also seeking well-rounded applicants who can be team players, get along with other doctors and staff, and are balanced, humane clinicians.