Internal Medicine Residency Training Program Curriculum
Throughout the 3 years of training, residents are exposed to a balance of both inpatient and outpatient medicine. Never during the three years of training will residents feel overwhelmed and without “back-up.” There are always senior residents, fellows, and attendings ready and willing to provide residents with support. As residents progress through our training program, their knowledge and skills will increase. With their increased training, comes the added freedom to lead teaching services, make autonomous clinical decisions, and ultimately practice evidence based medicine comfortably and independently.
Common Aspects of the Schedule In All Three Years
There are several weeks each year that are universal to all residents in either their PGY 1, 2, or 3 years. They include:
- 3 weeks of Vacation (split into one 2 week block and one 1 week block)
- 1 week of Evidence-Based Medicine
- 1 month of Ambulatory Medicine
- 4 days off at either Christmas or New Years
PGY 1 / Intern Year
During each resident’s first year, he or she will spend a majority of time on inpatient ward services at Shands Hospital and the VA Medical Center. During the first year, a resident’s knowledge will grow exponentially. The first year schedule includes the following rotations:
- 4-6 weeks of Shands MICU (q4 call)
- 2-4 weeks of Night Intern Cross Cover at Shands or the VA
- 6-8 months of Inpatient Wards at Shands and the VA
- 4-6 weeks of Elective
- 1 month of Emergency Medicine
PGY 2 Year
In the second year, residents now are entrusted with more responsibility and more freedom. They lead the teaching services and continue to develop their knowledge and technical skill. The second year schedule includes the following rotations:
- 3 months of ICU (Shands MICU or VA ICU (q4 call) or CCU (7am-7pm)
- 4-6 months Inpatient Wards
- 2 weeks Night Team at Shands
- 2-3 months of Elective
PGY 3 Year
Finally, in the third year, residents continue to fine tune their knowledge and skills. During this year, intense studying begins for the ABIM Board Exam and transitioning to life as a practicing physician or fellow in a subspecialty area. The third year schedule includes the following rotations:
- 2 Months of ICU (either Shands MICU, VA ICU, or CCU)
- 2 weeks of Night Team at Shands
- 3-5 months of Inpatient Wards including Geriatric Medicine
- 3-5 months of Elective
- 2 weeks of Neurology as part of an Ambulatory Medicine month
Ambulatory Medicine
During each year, residents will spend one month on ambulatory medicine. During this month, residents are exposed to outpatient medicine in Internal Medicine clinics as well as other specialties. These include Ophthamology, ENT, Orthopedics/Sports Medicine, GYN, Dermatology, Geriatrics, and Adolescent Medicine. Also during this month residents will spend time discussing medical ethics and giving a brief presentation on an outpatient case or medical topic.
Continuity Clinic
Categorical residents will spend one half day a week in their own continuity clinic. They will provide care to their panel of patients and serve as the patient’s primary care provider. Continuity Clinic occurs at three sites: DP-1 at Shands, VA Outpatient Clinic, or the Tower Hill Clinic located off-campus. Incoming residents may select which clinic they prefer prior to starting their intern year and will remain in that clinic throughout the course of their residency.
Evidence-Based Medicine (EBM)
Each year, residents will spend one week learning evidence-based medicine. During this time, residents are assigned a clinically relevant journal article to critically review. They will then present the article at our resident journal club the following month held during noon conference. Through various resources, residents learn basic statistics, epidemiology, and how to evaluate a peer reviewed journal article. To protect this valuable learning experience, residents are not placed on back-up call during this week and have no clinical responsibilities other than attending their continuity clinic and educational conferences.
