title: Demographic and work-life study of chief residents: a survey of the program directors in internal medicine residency programs in the United States.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Chief residents play a crucial role in internal medicine residency programs in administration, academics, team building, and coordination between residents and faculty. The work-life and demographic characteristics of chief residents has not been documented.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To delineate the demographics and day-to-day activities of chief residents.
  
  
  METHODS
  The Survey Committee of the Association of Program Directors in Internal Medicine (APDIM) developed a Web-based questionnaire. A link was sent in November 2006 by e-mail to 381 member programs (98%). Data collection ended in April 2007.
  
  
  METHODS
  Data collected include the number of chief residents per residency, the ratio of chief residents per resident, demographics, and information on salary/benefits, training and mentoring, and work life.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The response rate was 62% (N  =  236). There was a mean of 2.5 chief residents per program, and on average there was 1 chief resident for 17.3 residents. Of the chief residents, 40% were women, 38% international medical graduates, and 11% minorities. Community-based programs had a higher percentage of postgraduate year 3 (PGY-3)-level chief residents compared to university-based programs (22% versus 8%; P  =  .02). Mean annual salary was $60 000, and the added value of benefits was $21 000. Chief residents frequently supplement their salaries through moonlighting. The majority of formal training occurs by attending APDIM meetings. Forty-one percent of programs assign academic rank to chief residents.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Most programs have at least 2 chief residents and expect them to perform administrative functions, such as organizing conferences. Most programs evaluate chief residents regularly in administration, teaching, and clinical skills.
authors: Dushyant
authors: D
authors: Singh
authors: Furman S
authors: FS
authors: McDonald
authors: Brent W
authors: BW
authors: Beasley