CHARACTERISTICS OF EMERGENCY-MEDICINE RESIDENT ORIENTATION PROGRAMS

Objective: To determine the prevalence, duration, composition, and goals of emergency medicine resident orientation programs. Methods: Eleven-item, descriptive mail surveys were sent by the education committee of SAEM to the program directors of all emergency medicine residency programs approved by the RRC as of January 1992. Results: Sixty-nine of 86 survey instruments (80%) were returned. Orientation programs were offered in 64 residencies, 41 PGY1-3 programs, five PGY1-4 programs, and 18 PGY2-4 programs. Results are tabulated below. [GRAPHICS] No statistically significant difference between groups was found. Seven different special courses were offered. Conclusion: Resident orientation programs are used in 93% of surveyed programs in emergency medicine. Orientation programs consist mainly of lectures and special courses. There is great variability in the length, composition, goals, and associated courses offered. Orientation programs do not differ significantly by postgraduate year in which the residency begins.