Obstetrics & Gynecology at Santa Clara

Frequently Asked Questions

 

  1. What is it like to do a residency in an HMO setting?
  2. Will I learn all facets of Ob/Gyn?
  3. What is the volume of patients like?
  4. Where do Kaiser Permanente residents typically come from?
  5. Where do Kaiser Permanente resident go after graduation?
  6. Can I afford to live in Silicon Valley or the Bay Area on a resident's salary?
  7. How many days off do residents receive?
  8. Is research required?
  9. Is there protected teaching time?
  10. Is the program fully accredited?
  11. 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 provide 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 residents will begin Family Planning Fellowships this July - 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. Is the program fully accredited?

Yes, the program is fully accredited for a period of five years. Most programs’ accreditation length is three or four years. The five year cycle is the highest level of accreditation and is reserved for the few outstanding programs in the nation. Ask the OB/Gyn Chair at your medical school about the unique honor of a five year accreditation.
11. 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 .
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