Dealing with the Problem Resident

Amy B. Reed, MDChief and Program Director, Vascular Surgery

Associate Professor of Surgery

The Problem Resident

• Altruistic view that all want to come in and do well

• Many different personalities walk through your door!

• Chronologically adults but like your children!

Problem #1

Shows up July 1 without a license

Problem #2

Does not have a car

Problem #3

Lives 40 minutes from the hospital

Problem #4

Graduating fellow / Integrated resident never got around to taking USMLE 3

Problem #5

Poor performance requiring dismissal

Summary

• Document, Document Document!

• Utilize your AVSC resources

• Sit in on difficult conversations between PD and trainee to avoid “he said/she said”