Didactics

Afternoon Report, typically facilitated by the Program Director, is a clinically-directed conference where residents present 2 patient cases from the inpatient services. Laboratory values, imaging, and electrocardiograms are reviewed and appropriate management and critical decision-making is discussed with an emphasis on evidence-based medicine and high-value cost conscious care. Residents are required to review a key teaching point about each patient that is presented.

Electrocardiography Conference is held two times a month and reviews both basic and advanced interpretation of electrocardiograms. Each conference is topic-based, with a combination of residents reading EKG under the supervision of expert cardiologists. All residents become proficient at interpreting basic and advanced electrocardiograms. Ultrasound Conference is held once a month. Attendees practice and enhance their skills in image interpretation. There is also a monthly combined EKG/Ultrasound conference.

Noon Conferences are held daily and include lectures in all specialties with an emphasis on core Internal Medicine topics. Additional educational opportunities include Medicine Grand Rounds, Clinical-Pathological Conference, and Morbidity & Mortality Conference.

Clinic conferences focusing on common ambulatory medicine topics are held daily by a core faculty member in the Caritas Clinic. This is protected learning time and occurs before the residents are scheduled to see patients.

Residents get formal training on the use of ultrasound in performing routine procedures such as central lines, thoracentesis, paracentesis, radial arterial lines and lumbar puncture. Residents also receive formal training in intraosseous line placement, bedside diagnostic ultrasound, airway management, and how to run a code/rapid response.

Journal Club is held monthly to review and critique meaningful scientific articles in Internal Medicine. Each meeting is focused on a specific sub-specialty in Internal Medicine (e.g. Cardiology). Articles are reviewed and presented by senior residents (PGY II and III), followed by a discussion with 1 or 2 expert sub-specialists, Internal Medicine Faculty, and an expert statistician. Residents learn evidence-based medicine and how to interpret the literature with a focus on both statistical significance and clinical relevance.

Professor's Rounds are conducted with each inpatient team weekly by the Program Director for in-depth discussion of specific cases. In the Intensive Care Unit, daily rounds are made with Pulmonary and Cardiology critical care specialists. On the ward teams, attending rounds occur daily with an assigned teaching attending.

During the first month, the intern lecture series will be provided by upper level residents. Topics during this series include discussions addressing commonly encountered conditions in the hospital and how to manage these issues while on call.

To access Intern Lecture Series materials, please visit The Landing (login required).