Hi Everyone:
Greetings from Nova Scotia. I’ve spent the last week scrambling on cliffs high above the North Atlantic, watching lobstermen pull and drop their traps, cycling to remote beaches, downing Digby scallops, reading and writing in a cozy gazebo, and sleeping in a wood cabin beside a duck pond.
Though I’m 800 miles away, you’re never far from my mind. Last Thursday, I zoomed into Part 1 of our two end-of-year Clinical Competency Committee (CCC) meetings, where we make all-important decisions about promotion and graduation. Dr. McNamara chairs the committee, which also includes the APDs, Chiefs, and additional faculty. APDs present their residents, summarizing MedHub evaluations and additional input from clinic preceptors. Next, we score trainees on the ACGME milestones: Patient Care, Medical Knowledge, Systems Based Practice, Practice-Based Learning and Improvement, Professionalism, and Interpersonal and Communication Skills. Then, we tackle the big questions: Is this preliminary intern ready to move on? Is this categorical intern ready to lead teams? Is this PGY2 ready for capstone rotations? Is this PGY3 ready to graduate?
Milestones are linked to our expectations for each year of training, and we want all of you to perform at or above the expected level. Occasionally we have to drop people down for missteps, such as:
- Unexcused absences from teaching sessions
- Not responding to emails from program leadership
- Excessive copying and pasting
- Disrespectful speech
- Delayed completion of clinic notes, inbox tasks, and MedHub evaluations.
These missteps are uncommon, and most residents improve with feedback. If concerns were raised about your performance, your APD will work with you to create an action plan.
More commonly, we lift residents up for advanced skills, accomplishments, and contributions, such as:
- Spending extra time with patients
- Writing thoughtful chart notes
- Exceptional medical knowledge
- Seeking and responding to feedback
- Service on committees
- Exemplary communication skills
- Contributing to patient safety initiatives
The day is filled with tales of outstanding performance, and it looks like everyone is headed for promotion or graduation.
CCC meetings are exhausting, but they’re exhilarating too, especially when we kvell over your effort and commitment. This Thursday, we’ll discuss the rest of the residency, and this time I’ll attend in person.
This morning, I’m leaving Nova Scotia to join my family in Portland, ME, which is an eight-and-a-half hour drive. Oysters and lobster rolls await at our favorite Portland restaurant, Eventide. We’ll be returning to Connecticut on Monday.
Take care, everyone,
Mark
P.S. Memorial Day Readings:
P.P.S. Final vacation pics: