Residents at work

We strive to make learning fun, not just in the ED but also during resident conferences. Our most highly rated conferences are procedural/skills days, simulation conferences, and our month-long cadaver lab. Over the last few years, our conference days have evolved to include more simulation and small-group sessions targeted to each PGY class (each class splits up for separate activities planned just for them). Every 5th Thursday we have a wellness conference where residents gather together to learn about and practice wellness alongside our faculty and staff. Residents also enjoy evening journal clubs throughout the year and prepare for the yearly In-Training Exam in fun and engaging ways via Jeopardy, Cash Cab, charades, etc.

We focus on graduated responsibility, allowing residents to build their clinical and leadership skills over time. PGY-2 and PGY-3 residents run their own “pod” which involves 11-12 rooms. PGY-3s also have additional administrative responsibilities, such as taking transfer calls, signing EKGs, and running all resuscitations. PGY-1s begin the year by acclimating to the ED and seeing patients all over the department; they transition gradually from running a “half pod” to running their own pod by the end of the year. To allow ample time for documentation, sleep, and other activities, shifts are 8 hours. Typical shift numbers in a four-week block: PG-1 16-18, PG-2 19-21, PG-3 17-19.

Our senior residents embrace their role as departmental teachers and mentors. Residents advocated for the implementation of a resident teaching/swing shift, which began in 2015.  As a teaching shift resident, our PGY-3s work closely with interns and students, with an emphasis on learning, as opposed to moving large patient volumes.  Our residents are very involved with medical student education as all UMKC medical students rotate in our ED. The emergency medicine interest group (EMIG) is the largest interest group at UMKC School of Medicine. Our residents regularly give lectures and host workshops for the interest group.

Residents outside of work

We feel strongly that residents should be able to have a life outside of work and strive to keep schedules reasonable. When not working, our residents enjoy spending time together. Favorite activities include attending sporting events (Royals, Chiefs, Sporting KC or KC Current games), trying new restaurants/breweries together, or hitting up local bars. Our residents enjoy gathering up their four-legged friends and meeting at local dog parks. Regularly planned gatherings include an annual intern welcome party and welcome week activities; “Guys night” and “Ladies night” where the males and females (respectively) of the program plan an activity to hang out together, as well as the annual Luminary walk for EM ladies, and farewell party for the PGY3s. While these formal gatherings are planned throughout the year, many informal gatherings are peppered in that provide great opportunities to get to know our co-residents and spend time with faculty outside of work.