RESIDENCY PROGRAMS
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is it like to do a residency in an HMO setting?
- Will I learn all facets of Ob/Gyn?
- What is the volume of patients like?
- Where do Kaiser Permanente residents typically come from?
- Where do Kaiser Permanente resident go after graduation?
- Can I afford to live in Silicon Valley or the Bay Area on a resident's salary?
- How many days off do residents receive?
- Is research required?
- Is there protected teaching time?
- Are there medical student clerkships?
1.
What is it like to do a residency in a large HMO like Kaiser
Permanente?
The Kaiser Permanente Santa Clara program combines the academics
of a university program with the high volume of a tertiary care
hospital. There are educational programs on appropriate and
effective prescribing and imaging based on current medical evidence.
As a staff model, pre-paid HMO, all medical decisions are physician-driven
and care provided through an integrated system of care. Pre-authorization
for procedures is not necessary nor required from health plan
administrators.
2. Will I learn
all facets of Ob/Gyn?
In addition to general Ob/Gyn, the Santa Clara program has subspecialty
divisions in Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Gyn Oncology, Reproductive
Endocrinology & Infertility, and Urogynecology. Residents rotate
through all divisions. Since there are no Fellows, residents
work directly with the faculty.
3. What
is the volume of patients?
Unlike many university programs, Kaiser Permanente's volume
of patients is large and steadily increasing. More than one-third
of all insured Californians are served by Kaiser Permanente.
There is no differentiation among patients (i.e., no resident
patients vs. private patients). Every patient is potentially
a resident patient and on the teaching service.
4.
Where do Kaiser Permanente residents typically come from?
Applicants are from medical schools throughout the United States.
A roster of current residents can be found under "Our
Residents" .
5. Where do Kaiser Permanente residents go after graduation?
The majority of our graduates go on to clinical practice. All of our residents who have elected to do a subspecialty fellowship have successfully matched. One of our recent graduates is currently a Fellow in GYN Oncology at Harvard. Two of our graduates are in Family Planning Fellowships: one at Stanford; one at USC. Many of our graduates choose to practice in the Bay Area while others have relocated throughout the Country.
6. Can
I afford to live in Silicon Valley or the Bay Area on a resident's
salary?
Though rents are expensive, all of our residents are living
comfortably. In addition to your salary, the program covers
the cost of your medical license, USMLE III, and meals when
on duty. Additionally, the GME Office provides an educational
allowance for tuition and travel to a conference annually. A
book allowance of $500 for each PGY 1 and 2, and $750 for each
PGY 3 and 4 is provided.
7. How
many days off do residents receive?
There are three weeks of vacation and one week of educational leave
each year.
8. Is research
required?
A resident must complete a research project. Residents often complete
their projects during the PGY-3 elective months. A faculty research
mentor is provided. In addition, there is assistance available from
the Kaiser Foundation Research Institute, the Division of Research,
and the Department of Medical Editing. Refer to the section on research
and publications. The program sponsors an annual research symposium
for residents of all Northern California Kaiser Ob/Gyn programs.
9. Is there
protected teaching time?
Attending rounds are held each morning for each team. On Thursdays
the residents attend educational sessions from 8AM-1:30PM. During
this time there are no resident clinical duties, the faculty
covers L&D and the ED, and there are no scheduled surgeries.
10. Are
there medical student clerkships?
Yes. Fourth year students can apply for four-week rotations
in General Ob/Gyn, Perinatology or Gynecological Oncology. For
more information contact Susan
Krause .
