Curriculum

Training Program General Description

We challenge our residents to develop their abilities to the limits of their potential. Our training program is designed to attract quality applicants, educate them in a collegial environment, imbue them with habits of lifelong scholarship, and prepare them to succeed professionally upon graduation from our program. Interns assume supervised responsibility for the care of their patients. Resident responsibility is increased incrementally over the years. More senior level residents, faculty, and occasional fellows, are always available to provide supervision and additional support. Inpatient and outpatient experiences have been blended carefully to provide exposure to various disciplines in Internal Medicine and to prepare residents for medical practice or further training.

Emphasis on ambulatory care is increasing. Our institution has opened a new state-of-the-art 2,750 square foot Internal Medicine Faculty Practice on our campus to provide residents opportunities for a model experience in ambulatory care education.

The Department of Medicine at Saint Barnabas Medical Center expects each incoming resident to undertake a scholarly project during the residency training program. This is done under the supervision of a mentor and culminates in a scientific presentation and/or publication. Our residents have achieved a record of distinction with presentations, publications and awards in national forums.

Our training program in Medicine continues to evolve. Recent innovations include significant changes to strengthen our teaching service, a new stroke program, Hospitalist services, an intensive care unit rotation with 4 outstanding intensivists, improved morning report formats, and our Internal Medicine Faculty Practice. We have recently introduced a Board Review conference, and an ambulatory care conference. All these initiatives are designed to meet changing educational needs of residents and to prepare them for their postgraduate professional careers, which included (but is not limited to) successfully passing the certifying examination of the American Board of Internal Medicine. Changes are instituted based on recommendations from house officers and faculty with the overriding consideration always being the quality of resident education. Additional changes can be expected as we continue to improve our training program. Evaluation is integral to our resident training program. The Chairman and other faculty meet regularly with residents to exchange information and points of view.

First (Internship) Year - PGY-1

The purpose of the first year is to develop the clinical and interpersonal skills required for efficient and effective medical care. Excellence in patient care is the focus of training. An Intern, accompanied by a Junior Assistant Resident, is the first physician to evaluate a newly admitted patient. They formulate and suggest a management plan to a Senior Assistant Resident and subsequently to the Attending Physician. More responsibility is delegated as competence increases. Medical residents participate in the ambulatory care programs. The first year also involves extensive exposure to the Medical Intensive and Cardiac Care units. Interns take call every fourth night. There is no night call while on elective rotation. Certain electives are available in various subspecialties during this year.

• 6 months Inpatient Medicine Service
• 1-2 months ICU/CCU
• 1-2 months Night Float
• 1 month Ambulatory Medicine
• 1 month Elective
• 4 weeks of paid Vacation

Second (Junior Assistant Resident) Year - PGY-2

Junior Assistant Residents assume major responsibility for inpatient care teams, serving as direct supervisors and consultants for Interns and medical students. Junior Assistant Residents are provided opportunities to broaden their clinical skills with more rotations in medical subspecialties and further experience in the critical care units and the emergency room. Second - year residents will improve their leadership skills during their inpatient rotations, supervising medical students and interns. Additional time will be spent on subspecialty electives, emergency medicine, and ambulatory medicine. This and the next year offer increasing opportunities to help in preparation for specific career goals.

• 2-3 months Inpatient Medicine Service
• 2 months CCU
• 1-2 month Night Medicine
• 2 month Ambulatory Medicine
• 2-3 months Elective
• 1 month Emergency Medicine
• 4 weeks of paid Vacation

Third (Senior Assistant Resident) Year - PGY-3

Senior Assistant Residents serve as the senior house officers and leaders of inpatient care teams. Senior Assistant Residents sharpen their clinical skills by participating in consultative services and serving as medical admitting officer when on call. Our Senior Assistant Residents play a significant role in the education of Junior Assistant Residents, Interns, medical students, and each other. They learn to become impendent thinkers and practitioners.

• 3 months Inpatient Medicine Service
• 1-2 months ICU
• 2 month Ambulatory Medicine
• 2-3 months Elective
• 1 month Neurology
• 4 weeks of paid Vacation

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