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Duke University
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Program Information
Residents per class
8
Duke University Orthopedic Surgery Residency Program
User reviews
1 review
Overall rating
9.1
Staff Surgeons
9.0(1)
Didactics/Teaching
9.0(1)
Operating Experience
10.0(1)
Clinical Experience
8.0(1)
Research
10.0(1)
Residents
9.0(1)
Lifestyle
9.0(1)
Location
9.0(1)
Overall Experience
9.0(1)
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Well-Rounded and Very Strong
(Updated: January 30, 2013)
Overall rating
9.1
Staff Surgeons
9.0
Didactics/Teaching
9.0
Operating Experience
10.0
Clinical Experience
8.0
Research
10.0
Residents
9.0
Lifestyle
9.0
Location
9.0
Overall Experience
9.0
Program Review
Staff / Faculty / Chairman
Dr. Hardaker (Program Director) is a real strength of the program. He has been the PD for decades, meaning he actually cares about the residents and residency, as opposed to using the position as a stepping stone to a chairmanship. <br />
<br />
Great, approachable surgeons in all specialties.
<br />
Great, approachable surgeons in all specialties.
Didactics / Teaching
Pretty good. There is trauma conference every morning, as well as a specialty lecture every morning as well. "Nunley rounds" with the chairman every week for the residents on the trauma service was a bit of a pimp-session, but is also a great teaching opportunity.
Operating Experience
Great. Residents are the primary surgeon in basically everything except Spine. They have tremendous autonomy as chiefs, which they are all comfortable handling, and do so with competence. At least two specialty-trained surgeons in all fields. <br />
<br />
Sports is a real strength, with probably about half of the residents pursuing a Sports fellowship. Drs. Toth, Hardaker and others great. <br />
<br />
All residents do 6 months away--either at Scottish-Rite Children's Hospital in Atlanta, or the Asheville VA in somewhat rural NC. All the residents I talked to about this said that their away rotation was the best of their 5 years. <br />
<br />
Spine is a relative weakness, but is still at least average compared to other programs. <br />
<br />
Foot & Ankle is also a strength, with several big names.
<br />
Sports is a real strength, with probably about half of the residents pursuing a Sports fellowship. Drs. Toth, Hardaker and others great. <br />
<br />
All residents do 6 months away--either at Scottish-Rite Children's Hospital in Atlanta, or the Asheville VA in somewhat rural NC. All the residents I talked to about this said that their away rotation was the best of their 5 years. <br />
<br />
Spine is a relative weakness, but is still at least average compared to other programs. <br />
<br />
Foot & Ankle is also a strength, with several big names.
Clinic Experience
Standard clinics. Decent amount, good autonomy. <br />
<br />
They use what they call a "Day-Johnny" system for consults. On the trauma service there is always an Administrative Chief who runs the service, gives lectures, and also acts as a preceptor for the intern, who takes all the consults. This allows the <br />
<br />
Residents also cover sports teams, part required and part optional. They cover high-school football as a 2 (required), and cover some of the local college sports as a 3 while on Sports service...and yes, this includes a bench seat for home Duke Basketball games.
<br />
They use what they call a "Day-Johnny" system for consults. On the trauma service there is always an Administrative Chief who runs the service, gives lectures, and also acts as a preceptor for the intern, who takes all the consults. This allows the <br />
<br />
Residents also cover sports teams, part required and part optional. They cover high-school football as a 2 (required), and cover some of the local college sports as a 3 while on Sports service...and yes, this includes a bench seat for home Duke Basketball games.
Research Opportunities
Research is definitely present, but the residents didn't seem too interested in doing it. This seems like the ideal situation--ample opportunity, but only if you want it, and little-to-no competition from co-residents.
Residents
Awesome. Every resident here has something unique about them; former baseball players, college football players, a guy who was a vet before coming to med school and who now goes to the local zoo to operate on animals, Olympic medal winner, etc... But despite their accomplishments they are overwhelmingly approachable and friendly.
Lifestyle
Residents have ample free time, and it is sort of up to you how much you want to work. There are frequently cases in different specialties going uncovered, so if you want extra OR time, you just go to another room instead of going home "early". Residents hang-out after work, and there were several corporate sponsored events during my time (e.g. training dinners, lunch-lectures, etc..)
Location / Housing
Depends on what you're looking for. This isn't big-city lifestyle. This is suburban. Housing is affordable, plenty of good neighborhoods, family-friendly. Downtown Durham has a bit of a crime problem, with a fairly active Knife & Gun club. Chapel-Hill is very close and more upscale
Limitations
The rumors about the short-white coat and white pants as an intern are true. <br />
<br />
The 6 months away can be difficult for those with families.
<br />
The 6 months away can be difficult for those with families.
Overall Rotation Experience / Conclusion
Great rotation for students, and a great place for residency. <br />
<br />
I had heard that Duke was "malignant" from several people who had no real way of knowing...this was completely untrue.
<br />
I had heard that Duke was "malignant" from several people who had no real way of knowing...this was completely untrue.
Qualification
I rotated as a medical student at this program
Date of Rotation
2010
FR
Flynn Rowan
Top 10 Reviewer
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