RESIDENCY PROGRAMS
Obstetrics & Gynecology at San Francisco
Academic Training in a Positive Learning Environment
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is it like to do a residency in Kaiser's HMO setting?
- What is the volume of patients?
- Where do your program's residents typically come from?
- Where do your graduates typically go after completing residency?
- How many days off do residents receive?
- Is research required?
- Is the program fully accredited?
- Is there elective time?
- Do residents receive simulation training in surgical procedures and obstetrical emergencies?
1. What is it like to do a residency in Kaiser's
HMO setting?
The academically-oriented Kaiser Permanente OB/GYN Residency Program at San Francisco combines the best aspects of a traditional university residency program with the diverse case mix, hands-on experience, and positive learning environment of a community medical center. Residents benefit from working closely with the faculty in our large medical group practice who enjoy clinical teaching. Because Kaiser is a physician-driven HMO, all medical decisions are made by physicians and not by an insurance company. Since Kaiser is an integrated medical system, our residents work with a powerful electronic medical record and there are no barriers to obtaining appropriate consultations or clinical tests for their patients.
2 . What is the volume of patients?
Kaiser Permanente Northern California has a patient base of well over 3 million Health Plan members. Our San Francisco facility is a tertiary referral facility for a diverse population and residents find that virtually ALL of our patients are part of the teaching service. These patients provide our residents with ample clinical experience in all aspects of routine Gynecologic and Obstetrical care as well as sub-specialty areas of REI, MFM, Gyn-Onc, Urogyn and Chronic Pelvic Pain.
3. Where do your program's residents typically
come from?
Applicants to our program come from medical schools throughout the entire United States. Our current residents attended medical schools on the West Coast, Mid-West, East Coast and Southern Eastern United States. A roster of current residents can be found under Our Residents.
4 . Where do your graduates typically go
after completing residency?
The majority of our graduates go on to a general Ob/Gyn clinical practice and many of them join The Permanente Medical Group (TPMG). Over the past eight years, upon graduation: 50% accepted Kaiser Permanente positions (Northern California, Southern California, and Northwest); 10% joined private practice groups across the country; 20% joined organizations with significant community service, and 20% were accepted into fellowships/advanced training. A roster of where our residents have gone can be found under Our Residents.
5. How many days off do residents receive?
Residents receive the same time off as new full-time faculty: three weeks of vacation and one week of educational leave each year.
6. Is research required?
Residents are required to complete a research project and receive significant assistance from the Kaiser Foundation Research Institute and the Division of Research (DOR). The DOR offers unprecedented research support specifically for resident research projects- including didactics, study design, power calculations, electronic data abstraction, and statistical analysis. Though publication is not required, this is highly encouraged. Since 2005 residents have had over 40 peer-reviewed publications and/or national/regional presentations. We also sponsor an annual research symposium for residents of all Northern California Kaiser Ob/Gyn programs. A list of peer-reviewed publications and scientific presentations can be found under Resident Research.
7. Is the program fully accredited?
Yes, we are proud to be fully accredited for a period of five years. Most programs’ accreditation length is three or four years. The five year cycle is currently the highest level of accreditation possible and reserved for only a few outstanding programs in the nation. We received a five year accreditation in 1997, again in 2002, and our third five year accreditation in 2007 (a site visit that found no areas of non-compliance)! Our next scheduled program site visit will be in 2013.
8. Is there elective time?
Yes. Our residents have a call-free elective month in the third year. They also have an elective month in the second year that is either call free or has very few calls that can be easily traded. Many residents have pursued international electives as well as further subspecialty training.
Learn more about Rotations Schedules and Electives.
9. Do residents receive simulation training in surgical procedures and obstetrical emergencies?
Yes. Our surgical skills curriculum consists of dedicated didactics during protected teaching time, laparoscopic trainers/exercises (each R1 and R2 are paired with a laparoscopic surgery mentor from our faculty,) hysteroscopic trainers, perineal models for laceration repairs as well as abdominal hysterectomy models. Additionally, all PGY 1-3’s attend the Microsurgery and Operative Endoscopy Training (MOET) Institute for 3 days each year. Our Critical Events Team Training (CETT) occurs on a bimonthly basis.
