Curriculum

Our program has successfully transitioned to an “X+Y” block schedule to minimize conflicting inpatient and outpatient responsibilities. Based on the size of our program, we maintain a “6+2” master schedule.

In our model, following 6 weeks of a combined core rotation with elective or vacation, there is a 2-week ambulatory block followed again by another 6-week combination of core rotations and electives.

During these 6 weeks, while the rotations may vary, residents will not attend clinic. Removal of clinics from the traditional inpatient rotations and elective blocks helps to keep the whole team present each afternoon, allowing for better continuity with patients, less handoffs and more time teaching and learning. When on ambulatory block, residents are not pulled to other patient care commitments.

Each academic year consists of 26 blocks of 2 weeks each. The total number of ICU rotations is capped at 6 months.

Curriculum

This POCUS curriculum prepares our Overlook Hospital Internal Medicine Residents to utilize ultrasound to improve diagnostic accuracy, reduce time to diagnosis, improve patient safety, decrease complication rates, and reduce the overall cost of care.

Throughout the residency, POCUS-certified instructors will teach our residents how to utilize POCUS for both diagnostic and procedural purposes. The experience helps develop the necessary fundamental skills to obtain certification after graduation and safely utilize POCUS in their daily practice.

Specifically, in the PGY1 year, residents will receive didactic and hands-on training in procedural POCUS. In the PGY2 and PGY3 years, residents will complete a structured training and evaluation program with opportunities for teaching junior residents.

Sample Block Rotations