Essential Questions for DO Graduates in Anesthesiology Residency Interviews

Why Your Questions Matter as a DO Applicant in Anesthesiology

As a DO graduate entering the anesthesiology residency match, the questions you ask programs are more than polite conversation—they are strategic tools. Thoughtful questions:

• Signal your genuine interest in anesthesiology
• Demonstrate maturity, insight, and preparation
• Help you assess whether a program is truly DO‑friendly
• Clarify how well the training will prepare you for boards, fellowship, and practice

This guide focuses on questions to ask programs—program directors, faculty, and residents—tailored specifically to a DO graduate pursuing anesthesiology residency. You’ll find:

• Category-based question lists
• Why each type of question matters
• How to customize questions during the anesthesia match
• Sample phrasing you can use or adapt

Use this as your blueprint to build a personal question bank before interview season.

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Strategy First: How to Approach Asking Questions

Before jumping into specific interview questions for them, you need a framework. You’ll likely get 10–20 minutes to ask questions at the end of each interview. That time goes quickly; planning matters.

1. Know Your Priorities as a DO Graduate

As a DO graduate, some priorities may carry particular weight:

• DO acceptance and culture
  • Are DOs represented among current residents and faculty?
  • Does the program take COMLEX alone, or do they require USMLE?
• Board preparation
  • Support for both ABA board exams and osteopathic board needs
• Clinical autonomy & procedural volume
  • Bread-and-butter cases and high-acuity experiences
• Fellowship and career placement
  • Especially if you are interested in cardiac, critical care, pain, peds, or regional anesthesia

Make a short list (5–7 items) of what matters most. Then choose questions that reveal how well each program aligns with those priorities.

2. Avoid “Googleable” Questions

Save time by not asking questions that can be answered from the website, such as:

• “How many residents per year do you take?”
• “Where is the main hospital located?”

Instead, ask deeper follow-up questions that show you did your homework:

• “I saw you take 12 residents per year and have a large case volume. How do you ensure each resident gets adequate exposure to complex cases without feeling overworked?”

3. Tailor Questions by Person

You’ll usually have separate interview blocks with:

• Program Director (PD)
• Associate/Assistant Program Directors
• Faculty interviewers
• Residents

Use each interaction differently:

• Program Director: Big-picture structure, philosophy, outcomes, DO-friendliness
• Faculty: Teaching culture, supervision, OR experience
• Residents: Daily life, wellness, call, culture, reality-check questions

Keep a short list of “must-ask” questions for each type of interviewer so you don’t repeat the same question over and over.

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High-Value Questions to Ask the Program Director

You’ll often have only 1 short meeting with the PD; that’s when what to ask program director becomes critical. Aim for 3–5 strong, high-impact questions.

1. Questions About Program Culture and DO-Friendliness

Especially as a DO graduate, you want to understand how the program views and supports osteopathic applicants and residents.

Sample questions:

1. “Can you describe your experience training and working with DO residents in this program?”

   • Follow-up: “What strengths have you noticed DO graduates typically bring to anesthesiology training?”

2. “How does your program support residents who come from osteopathic schools in adjusting to your expectations, especially early in CA-1 year?”

3. “Are any of your current residents or faculty DOs? How have they been incorporated into leadership or teaching roles?”

4. “Do you view COMLEX and USMLE differently when evaluating performance, or is there a standardized way your program interprets these scores?”

   • If you only took COMLEX:
     “For applicants with only COMLEX scores, how do you assess competitiveness and fit?”

What you learn:
Whether you’ll be viewed as “second choice” to MDs or as a valued part of the team; how comfortable and experienced they are with DO graduates.

2. Questions About Training Structure and Autonomy

Anesthesiology requires hands-on skills; you need to know when you’ll be trusted in the OR.

High-yield questions:

1. “How do you structure the progression of autonomy from CA-1 through CA-3?”

   • Follow-up: “By the end of CA-3, what types of cases do residents manage independently, and what guardrails are in place for safety?”

2. “Could you walk me through how you balance education, supervision, and independent practice in the operating room?”

3. “How much exposure do residents get to solo call or late OR management, and at what stage of training does that typically start?”

What you learn:
Whether the program is too hands-off, too restrictive, or thoughtfully balanced.

3. Questions About Case Mix, Rotations, and Subspecialty Exposure

For anesthesiology residency training to be strong, you want depth in all core areas:

• General surgery
• OB
• Pediatrics
• Cardiac
• Neuro
• Regional
• Critical care

Ask:

1. “How do you ensure residents get sufficient exposure to high-acuity and subspecialty cases like cardiac, neuro, pediatric, and regional anesthesia?”

2. “Are there any key rotations that you feel are unique strengths of your program?”

   • Follow-up: “How do you see those experiences shaping graduates’ confidence and skills?”

3. “How is time divided between the main ORs, OB, ICU, and off-site locations like endoscopy or interventional radiology?”

What you learn:
Where you’ll spend your time and whether your training will be well-rounded.

4. Questions About Board Preparation and Performance

As a DO, you may be thinking about both ABA written/oral boards and potential osteopathic boards. Either way, board outcomes tell you about academic support.

1. “What systems are in place to help residents prepare for the ABA Basic and Advanced exams?”

   • Follow-up: “Are there structured didactics, question banks, or mock exams?”

2. “How has your program’s board pass rate trended over the last several years, and what changes have you made in response to any challenges?”

3. “For residents who struggle academically or clinically, what kind of support or remediation does the program provide?”

What you learn:
How invested the program is in your academic success and whether they monitor and act on outcomes.

5. Questions About Graduate Outcomes and Fellowships

If fellowship is on your radar, tailor anesthesia match questions accordingly.

1. “Where have your graduates gone over the last few years—in terms of both fellowship and direct entry into practice?”

2. “How does the program support residents pursuing competitive fellowships in areas like cardiac, critical care, or regional anesthesia?”

3. “Do you notice any differences in outcomes between DO and MD graduates, and if so, how do you address any gaps?”

What you learn:
How well the program sets you up for the next stage—and whether DOs achieve the same results as MDs.

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Smart Questions to Ask Residents: Real-Life Insight

Residents will give the most honest view of what the program is really like. Prepare a different set of questions to ask residency when you’re in a more informal, resident-only space (lunch, social hour, breakout rooms).

1. Daily Workflow and Supervision

1. “Can you walk me through a typical day for a CA-1? What time do you arrive, and when do you usually leave?”

2. “How is morning setup handled—do you have enough time, and do attendings generally support you or rush you?”

3. “How approachable are your attendings when you’re unsure about an anesthetic plan or need help with a procedure?”

Red flags to note:

• Residents frequently staying very late without learning benefit
• Attendings being unapproachable or punitive
• Culture of “sink or swim” without supervision

2. Call Schedule and Workload

The balance between learning and wellness is critical.

Key questions:

1. “What is your call schedule actually like in each year? Are you on home call, in-house call, or night float?”

2. “On a typical call, how many cases or pages are you handling? Does it feel safe and sustainable?”

3. “Does the program adhere to duty hour rules, or do you often work beyond them?”

4. “On post-call days, do you reliably get out on time, or do cases commonly run over?”

What you learn:
Whether you’ll be exhausted and burned out or challenged at a sustainable level.

3. Education and Feedback

1. “How protected is your didactic time? Does the OR respect it, or are you often pulled out for cases?”

2. “Are faculty engaged in teaching during cases, or is it more about getting through the day?”

3. “How often do you receive feedback, and is it useful and specific?”

4. “If you’re struggling with a concept or skill, is there someone you feel comfortable going to?”

What you learn:
If the program is truly educational, not just service-driven.

4. Culture, DO Acceptance, and Fit

As a DO graduate, culture and inclusion matter.

Questions you can ask residents:

1. “As a DO coming into anesthesiology, I’m curious how DOs are viewed here. Are there DOs in your program, and do you feel there’s any difference in how they’re treated or perceived?”

2. “How would you describe the relational dynamic between DO and MD residents and faculty?”

3. “How supportive are co-residents when someone is having a tough rotation or personal issue?”

4. “What type of resident tends to do well here, and who tends to struggle?”

What you learn:
Whether you’ll feel respected, included, and supported—especially critical for a DO graduate residency experience.

5. Life Outside the Hospital

1. “Do you have time for hobbies, family, or exercise?”

2. “What do residents typically do on a free weekend? Do most people live close by?”

3. “How affordable is it to live here on a resident salary?”

What you learn:
Whether you can see yourself living—and not just working—in this environment for 3–4 years.

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Targeted Questions for Faculty and Subspecialty Interviewers

Faculty interviewers can provide nuanced views on teaching, subspecialty exposure, and career development.

1. Questions for General Faculty Interviewers

1. “From your perspective as faculty, what differentiates graduates of this anesthesiology residency from those of other programs?”

2. “How involved are residents in clinical decision-making in the OR? At what point in training do you expect them to ‘run the room’?”

3. “What qualities do you most value in residents, and what do you find most challenging?”

4. “How open are you and your colleagues to discussing different anesthetic approaches suggested by residents?”

What you learn:
How faculty think about resident education and collaboration.

2. Questions for Subspecialty Faculty (Cardiac, ICU, Pain, Regional, OB, Peds)

If you’re interested in a specific area, use the anesthesia match interview time to explore it:

Cardiac anesthesia:

• “What kind of exposure do residents receive to TEE and complex cardiac cases? Is there room for senior residents to function at a near-fellow level?”
• “Do residents who are serious about a cardiac fellowship get extra case opportunities?”

Critical care:

• “How much time do residents spend in the ICU, and what roles do they take in multidisciplinary rounds?”
• “Are anesthesiology residents competitive for your own critical care fellowship?”

Regional anesthesia:

• “What is the volume and variety of regional blocks residents perform? Are ultrasound-guided techniques a strong focus?”

Pain medicine:

• “How strong is your acute and chronic pain experience? Are there opportunities to work in procedure-focused pain clinics?”

Obstetric anesthesia:

• “How busy is your labor and delivery unit, and how is epidural/neuraxial experience distributed among residents?”

What you learn:
Whether the program can support your specific career goals within anesthesiology.

3. Questions About Research, Leadership, and Career Development

1. “What opportunities exist for residents who want to be involved in research, particularly within anesthesiology?”

   • Follow-up: “Are there dedicated mentors or protected time?”

2. “How do residents get involved in leadership—chief resident roles, committees, or quality improvement projects?”

3. “How does the program help residents develop non-clinical skills, such as communication, conflict management, or OR leadership?”

What you learn:
Whether you can grow beyond just technical proficiency.

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Tailoring Questions to the Anesthesia Match as a DO Graduate

To maximize your impact on interview day, align your questions with both your background as a DO and the unique aspects of anesthesiology residency.

1. Acknowledge Your DO Background Confidently

You don’t need to be defensive about being a DO graduate. Instead, frame it as a strength:

• “As a DO, I’ve had strong training in holistic and musculoskeletal care. How do you see that background fitting into your approach to perioperative medicine?”

This invites discussion and signals pride in your training.

2. Integrate Osteopathic Residency Match Concerns

You may still be thinking in terms of osteopathic residency match even though there’s now a single accreditation system. You can ask:

• “Since the merger into a single accreditation system, how has your program adapted to ensure both DO and MD residents feel equally supported?”

• “Have you noticed any differences in how DO graduates adjust to the program compared to MDs, and if so, what resources help bridge that gap?”

3. Ask Clarifying Questions About Exams and Evaluations

If your application relies primarily or solely on COMLEX:

• “How does your clinical competency committee interpret COMLEX scores and in-training performance for DOs when considering progression or fellowship recommendations?”

If you took both COMLEX and USMLE:

• “Do you consider both COMLEX and USMLE equally when evaluating residents’ ongoing progress, or is one weighted more heavily?”

4. Use Questions to Subtly Communicate Your Strengths

Carefully chosen questions can highlight your interests without sounding like a speech. For example:

• “I’m very interested in critical care and have done elective rotations in the ICU. For residents with that interest, how early can they start to focus their training or get additional ICU exposure?”

This shows your focused interest and experience without you having to explicitly sell yourself.

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Practical Tips for Using These Questions on Interview Day

1. Create a Personal “Short List”

You will not have time to ask everything. Before each interview day:

• Pick 3–4 questions for the PD
• Pick 3–4 for residents
• Pick 2–3 for faculty/subspecialists

Write them down in a small notebook or on your interview sheet. Refine them per program based on what you learned from their website and pre-interview materials.

2. Prioritize Depth Over Quantity

A single, well-phrased question with thoughtful follow-up can tell you—and the program—much more than rapid-fire superficial questions.

For example:

• Start: “How do you ensure DO graduates feel fully integrated and supported here?”
• Follow: “Can you give an example of a DO resident’s path through your program and where they are now?”

This yields concrete information while showing insight.

3. Avoid Negative or Confrontational Tone

You can still get honest answers about weaknesses without sounding aggressive:

• Instead of: “Why is your board pass rate low?”
• Try: “I noticed your board pass rate has fluctuated. What changes have you made recently to strengthen board preparation and resident support?”

4. Take Brief Notes After Each Interview

Immediately after each interview block, jot down:

• Key points from answers
• Your emotional reaction (did you feel heard, respected, rushed?)
• Any red or green flags

These notes will be invaluable when creating your rank list.

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FAQ: Questions to Ask Programs for DO Graduate in Anesthesiology

1. As a DO graduate, should I directly ask if a program is DO-friendly?
You can, but frame it constructively. Instead of, “Are you DO-friendly?” try:

• “Can you tell me about your experience training DO residents and how they’ve integrated into your program?”
  This invites a more informative and authentic response. Pay attention to whether they can name actual DO residents/faculty and how they describe them.

2. How many questions should I ask at the end of an interview?
Plan for 2–4 thoughtful questions per interview block. If your interviewer is talkative, you may only get to 1–2. Always have a “priority” question ready in case time is short, especially when speaking with the program director.

3. What are examples of strong, general-purpose questions I can use at any anesthesiology program?

• “What type of resident really thrives in this program?”
• “Looking back, what recent changes to the program are you most proud of?”
• “If you could change one thing about the program right now, what would it be?”
  These work well with PDs, faculty, or residents and usually spark honest, nuanced responses.

4. Is it okay to ask about fellowship match rates and job placement?
Yes—programs expect this, especially in anesthesia. You can ask:

• “Where have your recent graduates gone in terms of fellowships and jobs?”
• “For residents applying to competitive fellowships like cardiac or critical care, what kind of support do they receive?”
  This helps you judge program outcomes and how well they advocate for their residents.

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Use this guide to craft a personalized question list that reflects your goals, values, and DO background. Thoughtful questions not only help you evaluate programs; they also show you’re ready to take ownership of your anesthesiology training and career.