Missing Trainee

 A trainee not showing up for work may be a serious problem or a simple mistake. Now that many trainees do not have a landline, or in some situations a pager, we are dependent on a charged cell phone for contact. 

Resident/Fellow training programs should have a process in place for how to deal with a trainee who does not arrive when expected (see below for a suggested strategy) .

Stepwise Approach to Finding a Missing Trainee

1. Page, text, and email the trainee.  If their phone is lost, sometimes an email will reach them first.  (Wait 10 - 15 minutes for a response.  If you don't hear from the trainee, move to step 2)

2. Call the trainee’s home or cell phone.  You can look up the trainee's emergency contact information, including their address on New Innovations (NOTE:  It is critical to have a strict policy in your program that you always have the trainee's current address.)  If you do not reach the trainee or your information is not current, these are other options:  

   • Look for information on the trainee's parents and reach out to them 

   • Have the Chief Resident, one of the fellows they interact with often, or a program coach/mentor reach out in addition to you.  NOTE:  Some trainees may be purposely avoiding program leadership, so connecting with one of these other resources may help in tracking down their whereabouts.  

   • Ask their closest friends about their normal means of transportation (car, bike, train) and get information on their normal routine.  Has their car or bike been seen?

   • Is there an ex-significant other or another friend who can reach out?

Again, wait 10 - 15 minutes and proceed to step 3 if you do not hear from the trainee.

3. If there is no response, the next options include:

   • • Calling trainee’s emergency contact

     • Contacting local police to request a welfare check or reporting a missing person if you know the trainee has not returned home.

If a Death is Confirmed

If a death has been confirmed by the institution, a coordinated crisis response should be implemented to manage the situation, provide opportunities of grief support, help trainees and faculty cope with their feelings, and minimize the risk for any suicide contagion in instances where the death was by suicide.