department of medicine

Internal Medicine Residency Program

Program Summary

grounded in a broad base of knowledge that is constantly updated with current literature.

Our graduates will be independent and critical thinkers sufficiently adaptable to care for diverse patients in diverse settings. Our Program is dedicated to meeting the health care needs of the North Philadelphia community we serve.

The organization of medical education in America is rapidly changing. We will embrace this change and adapt to it while still promoting the core values of ownership, responsibility, professionalism, and patient-centered care.

In July 2011, our program successfully transitioned from a traditional overnight call system to an innovative night float/shift system. Our system will complies with the new ACGME work hour requirements and has improved the overall education of our residents while minimizing the handoffs. In addition, we have an innovative rotation block structure that puts emphasis on continuity of outpatient medicine. Implementation of our ‘4+1’ structure has improved residents' confidence and efficiency in the ambulatory setting, as well as their overall satisfaction.

PGY1

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First year residents spend 1-2 months in intensive care unit rotations; 3-4 months in inpatient general medicine ward experiences; 1 month each in the Emergency Department, Intern Night Float and Intern Overnight admitter. There are 2-3 additional months for elective rotations. Every 5th week categorical interns will have ambulatory duties. (see 4+ 1 block structure)

Primary responsibilities include:

1. Direct care for an average of 6 to 8 patients but no more than 10 patients on the general wards and 4 to 6 in the ICUs, including all order writing, test ordering, relevant procedures and documentation
2. Providing continuous primary care to a panel of between 20 and 30 outpatients through their continuity practices
3. Attending a minimum of the required departmental conferences, including intern report, and inpatient and outpatient management conferences

PGY 2

The second year curriculum features additional training in intensive care and inpatient general medicine. In addition to the 4+ 1 ambulatory experience, two weeks are devoted to non-traditional ambulatory experiences as part of our Outpatient Block. The second year curriculum also features additional opportunity for elective weeks in medicine subspecialties, neurology, radiology, orthopedics, rehab medicine and many others. The second year resident is given more autonomy than the intern, with increased responsibilities running inpatient ward and ICU teams.

Primary responsibilities include:

1. Supervision for 1 intern and thus indirect care for an average of 7 to 8 patients but no more than 14 patients on the general wards
2. Supervision of 1 to 2 medical students each month, including modeling and teaching oral presentation and documentation skills, as well as history taking and physical exam skills
3. Mastery of the organizational skills necessary to manage an inpatient team or a consult service
4. Providing continuous primary care to a panel of between 40 and 50 outpatients through their continuity practices
5. Ensuring that department work hour policies are met
6. Attending a minimum of the required departmental conferences, including grand rounds, resident report, and inpatient and outpatient management conferences

PGY 3

The third year curriculum includes a month each of medical consultation, medicine admitting resident/housechief and teaching resident. Residents are assigned 2 weeks of “night owl” rotation where they oversee the interns who admit patients overnight. Residents may take up to 2-3 elective rotations along with 3-4 additional months of inpatient general medicine ward experiences. Additional ICU experience is available. The third year also follows the 4+ 1 ambulatory model.

Primary responsibilities in addition to those listed for the PGY 2 year include:

1. Develop a comprehensive approach to learning based on ones own perceptions of gaps in fund of knowledge as well as the results of objective assessments, including the In-training Exam and summative evaluations
2. Enhance feedback and evaluation skills
3. Function as role models and mentors for younger trainees
4. Engage in scholarly pursuit
   

We offer unlinked preliminary medicine positions each year via the NRMP. Applications are accepted via ERAS.

The schedule for participants in the preliminary program is nearly identical to that of a categorical medicine intern, including 2-3 months of electives, one month of emergency medicine, and 1-2 months of night rotations. The preliminary intern does not follow the 4+ 1 ambulatory model. Combined with our vibrant program curriculum and diverse patient population, participants are assured of receiving an outstanding year of education before proceeding into their chosen career.

Our very successful primary care program has been in existence now for 6 years. Interview dates will be the same as for other applicants but a time will be set aside at the end of the day for additional information about the program.