Top Ten FAQ’s

Question: Are there separate NRMP match numbers for the two locations?

Answer: YES! The number for Lewiston ends in “0” and the number for Rumford ends in “1”

Question: What will the call frequency be?

Answer: For rotations not requiring call or extended periods in Lewiston: call will be of two different types. The first type is everything (medical, inpatient + outpatient phone calls, ob & peds combined). The frequency will be 1:6 PGY2 and 1:8 PGY3. This is a frequent but not very busy call (to allow residents the maximal opportunity to obtain experience in admitting pediatric patients and to be involved in as many deliveries as possible). The second type of call: faculty and residents will review call requirements after six months to assess the amount of experiences available to the residents, the impact of call on their education, and compliance with the 80 hour rule.

Question: Will call be in-house or from home?

Answer: In-house call for first 3 months of PGYII. Pending faculty review of each resident, call will then be from home (defined as within 20 minutes of the hospital).

Question: What is the financial incentive package?

Answer: $600 per month housing stipend (PGY 2 and 3), mileage (Rumford-Lewiston) membership in National Rural Health Association (NRHA), stipend to attend one NRHA national meeting, paid membership at a local Rumford gym, season pass to Black Mountain ski area, $500 moving allowance (Lewiston-Rumford) [in addition, all PGY1 residents receive a moving allowance to move to Lewiston], and housing while on rotations in Lewiston during PGY 2 & 3.  All other benefits received by Lewiston residents will be provided to RT residents.  Call room will be provided at Rumford Hospital (for times requiring resident presence and for residents who live beyond the 20 minute distance requirement for home call).

Question: Where will I see my continuity patients?

Answer: During PGY1, rural residents will see outpatients in Lewiston. PGY1 is mainly an inpatient year and there is limited outpatient clinic time for all first-year residents. Starting at the beginning PGY2, residents will see their own continuity patients at Swift River Healthcare in Rumford. Residents will also follow their continuity patients as an inpatient, on Labor and Delivery, at some sub-specialty clinics and one of two local nursing homes.

Question: Who will precept in Rumford?

Answer: Precepting duties will be shared among the Family Physicians of Swift River Family Medicine, the Rural Track Coordinator, the rest of the Lewiston faculty, and possibly some outside/community preceptors (all of whom will receive training in the Lewiston program). While some preceptors will have areas of medicine in which they do not focus/practice, the full range of preceptors will allow residents to gain knowledge and skills in all areas of Family Medicine.

Question: Will I learn procedures?

Answer: As with many rural practices, Swift River performs many in-office procedures, including skin lesions & suturing, fracture management, colposcopies, and OB ultrasounds. Given the small size and personal nature of the program, residents will also have the opportunity to be involved in many of the procedures performed at the hospital.

Question: What type of Obstetrical training can I expect?

Answer: The Lewiston program is currently developing a “Maternity Care Path or Emphasis.” Rural track residents will automatically be enrolled in this path/emphasis which will include three months of Maternity Care in Lewiston and an away-away elective in high volume/high risk obstetrics. In addition, Swift River currently has 120 deliveries a year shared by the FP’s and an Ob-Gyn, all of whom practice in the same office. One of the FP’s at Rumford Hospital performs C-sections. Rural track residents should have sufficient obstetrical experience to gain privileges for routine obstetrical care upon graduation.

Question: How will subspecialty rotations happen?

Answer: There are many subspecialty clinics that take place onsite at Rumford Hospital, including Cardiology, Orthopedics, Physical Medicine and Rehabilitations, Hematology/Oncology, Podiatry, and Audiology. Rotations in these areas will take place longitudinally over the two years (i.e. instead of a month on cardiology, you may spend one half day twice a month for six months in the cardiology clinic, where you will also see your referred continuity patients with the cardiologist). Other specialty rotations will take place in Lewiston (ICU, Maternity Care, Dermatology, Inpatient Pediatrics). Continuity clinic responsibilities will vary according to the rotation in order to provide the maximum continuity for the resident (and patients) but to allow for educational time in different locations with the minimum of commuting.

Question: Can I transfer from the Lewiston program to the Rumford program or vice versa?

Answer: The possibility of transferring between programs will be entertained only if there are open spots in either program (or in rare, exceptional circumstances). This is necessary due to budget and staffing issues.

For more information please contact:
Dieter Kreckel, M.D.
Rural Track Coordinator
rickarsh@rh.cmhc.org
207-369-1154