How timely would you say your charting and dictations were during your General Surgery residency training?
Getting behind on charting after a long and busy day in the OR happens in any practice, and this can be true for residents and fellows in training. Your interviewers ask a question regarding the timelines of your charting and dictation to hear how you trained in and prioritized these tasks during your residency training. Ideally, they want to hear that you can do what is necessary for a patient's record, even on the busiest of days.
"During my residency training, the standard was for patient notes to be charted within 48 hours of a procedure, and faculty were very good about training us to do it within 24 hours. On some busy days in the OR, finding time was difficult, but I always made time for it. Learning dictation tools was certainly a big help. I'm very quick when learning an EHR and what my requirements are for charting, and it is something I'd prioritize learning if I'm fortunate enough to match into your program."
Speak openly and honestly about how you prioritized your patient charting during residency training and push your answer further by highlighting any direct feedback you received on your charting skills from faculty. If your charting/dictation wasn't timely, it is okay to bring that situation up as long as you can express what you learned from it.
Community answers are written by other candidates practicing this set. Reading how others frame the same question is one of the fastest ways to sharpen your own.
Anonymous Answer
I was always on time with them. During my residency, we have to fulfill the charts before 7 AM and I've never had any problem with dictations.
It has been a bit more difficult since I am in France, they have different keyboards, AZERTY and not QWERTY so it took me some time to get used to it, now I can manage pretty well dictations in France and in Italy as well.
Jaymie's Feedback
Your answer assures the interviewer that you understand the importance of and are committed to deadlines. Well done.
Anonymous Answer
During my residency, I always made it a priority to complete my dictations before the end of the day. Even if this meant staying late at work or using remote access to have them completed. I find this is the best approach for me to ensure my documentation is as detailed and specific as possible. During my time on electives, I utilized my quick learning skills to get comfortable with a new EMR and ensure accurate and timely documentation of clinic and OR reporting.
Jaymie's Feedback
Excellent job reassuring the interviewer that you are committed and diligent when completing your dictations.
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