Curriculum

On this page:

• Overview
• Typical Resident Schedule

Overview

The Wright State University Internal Medicine clinical curriculum offers a combination of inpatient and ambulatory experiences to gain exposure to general medicine and subspecialty care.  Residents assume increasing responsibility as they progress from fully supervised interns to independently practicing clinicians on graduation. As part of the curriculum, residents are expected to participate in elective rotations covering core Internal medicine subspecialties--Cardiology, Endocrinology, Gastroenterology, Hematology and Oncology, Infectious Diseases, Nephrology, Pulmonary and Critical Care, and Rheumatology. 

Rotations are arranged in 13 four-week blocks. Clinic is scheduled in a 6+2 format: residents will have 6 weeks of some combination of inpatient/ICU/elective scheduled, followed by 2 weeks of their continuity clinic. Not only does this promote greater patient continuity within their own panel—their patients know they'll be able to see their primary care doctor on a consistent basis--it also allows for the resident to have more autonomy and predictability in their life. By separating inpatient rotations from continuity clinic, residents are better able to focus and be present on the specific rotation they are on for that week. Residents never have continuity clinic while on any other rotations.  

Inpatient general wards and night float rotations are completed at all 3 program sites throughout residency: VA, Miami Valley Hospital, and Wright Patterson Medical Center. The night float rotation is a dedicated 2-week block of nights, ensuring that our residents never have to complete 24hr shifts. 

Beyond rotations, residents also learn to incorporate both the tenants of Patient Safety/Quality Improvement and how to be mindful of and account for healthcare disparities, which are discussed in formal conferences, case reviews, individual assignments and clinical projects.

The initial year of training is a mixture of focusing on hospital management and primary care. Each resident will be empaneled with a cohort of patients that they will follow throughout their 3 years in the program. Additionally, interns will rotate on general medical wards, night float, ICU, neurology, and cardiology, learning the basics of inpatient care and progressing towards greater autonomy.

During the second year, residents assume a senior resident supervisory role on the inpatient teams. They continue to build relationships with their continuity clinic patients. They complete rotations on Quality Improvement/Patient Safety, Emergency Medicine, and Geriatrics/Palliative Care, in addition to several chosen electives.

In the final year of training, residents prepare to become independent inpatient and outpatient providers. There is a great deal of flexibility in this year, so that residents are able to hone in on their interests and further work on their self-identified areas for improvement. Upon completion of the final year, residents are expected to be ready to independently manage patients across the spectrum of clinical settings in Internal Medicine.

Typical Resident Schedule

Sample Schedule (PDF)