Curriculum
Ever since the ACGME revealed its new work hour rules in the Fall of 2010, our program has been working very hard to design schedules that decrease resident fatigue and improve resident learning experiences. Given the different service needs and resident team compositions in our inpatient areas, we created a "hybrid" system of call and night shifts (details below).
First Year (PL-1)
The goal for the first year is to learn the essentials of pediatric care. Under the supervision of faculty attendings and senior house officers, first-year residents are broadly exposed to pediatric medicine, developing competency in the diagnosis and treatment of common inpatient and outpatient pediatric problems.
Residents also begin to develop their own practice, following continuity patients who they will see in weekly clinics throughout their three-year training period.
First-year residents are responsible for initial comprehensive evaluations, as well as follow-up care of patients. PL-1s write all orders, perform all procedures, and develop treatment plans for their patients in collaboration with the supervising senior resident and attending.
Giving residents time to attend daily teaching conferences and to read about their patients' problems is a high priority. By the end of the first year, residents will have a solid foundation of core pediatric knowledge and clinical skills.
PL-1 Assignments
| Inpatient: | |
| General Medical Wards/Night Team | 16 to 18 weeks |
| Hematology/Oncology | 4 weeks |
| Pediatric Intensive Care Unit | 4 weeks |
| Neonatal Intensive Care Unit | 4 weeks |
| Normal Newborn & Delivery Room | 4 weeks |
| Outpatient: | |
| Adolescent Medicine | 4 weeks |
| Primary Care (CAP) Clinics | 6 to 8 weeks |
| Emergency room | 4 weeks |
| Vacation | 4 weeks |
PL-1 Night Shifts/Call:
- Night shifts: Ward night team, Heme/Onc, well baby nursery
- Q4 call 7 AM - 11 PM (16 hours): NICU, PICU, general medical wards
Second Year (PL-2)
Second-year residents spend a larger portion of their time in emergency and subspecialty areas in order to deepen their understanding of pediatric medicine. They assume greater responsibility for the comprehensive care of patients, supervision of PL-1s, and teaching medical students. The experience in transport medicine, where the PL-2 is the physician on a team responsible for stabilizing and transporting patients from local hospitals to our tertiary care center, provides additional responsibility. By the second year, the resident's continuity clinic is well established and affords an excellent primary care experience with a consistent group of patients and families
The second year also includes time for three elective rotations in areas of special interest. Electives provide concentrated time for research projects, advocacy work related to child health, and community or international health experiences.
PL-2 Assignments
| Inpatient: | |
| Wards (Gen. Med., Hem/Onc, Rehab.) | 14 weeks |
| NICU /Delivery Room | 8 weeks |
| Day Float/Anesthesia | 2 weeks |
| Outpatient: | |
| Emergency Room | 4 to 8 weeks |
| Primary Care (CAP) Clinics | 4 to 6 weeks |
| Elective (with call) | 8 weeks |
| Elective (without call) | 4 weeks |
| Vacation | 4 weeks |
PL-2 Night Shifts/Call:
- Night Shifts: Heme/Onc cross cover
- Q4 overnight call for all other inpatient rotations
Third Year (PL-3)
In their third and final year of training, residents hone the skills needed to independently manage the entire spectrum of pediatric problems. PL-3s continue developing their leadership and teaching abilities.
Third-year residents serve as team leaders and medical consultants and have major responsibility for the quality of patient care and the teaching of junior residents and medical students.
The third year curriculum differs from the PL-2 year primarily through increased elective time, five months in all. Residents can tailor these opportunities to address self-identified weaknesses and to prepare themselves for their intended pediatric career as well as participate in research, advocacy, or international work.
By graduation, our residents have mastered the skills required for their chosen career in pediatric medicine.
PL-3 Assignments
| Inpatient: | |
| Wards—Gen. Med.; Hem/Onc; Night Team; Day Admit. | 10 weeks |
| PICU | 4 weeks |
| Outpatient: | |
| Emergency room (after-hours Urgent Care for 2 weeks) | 6 to 8 weeks |
| Primary Care (CAP) Clinics | 4 to 6 weeks |
| Elective (with call) | 12 weeks |
| Elective (without call) | 8 weeks |
| Vacation | 4 weeks |
PL-3 Call/Night Shifts:
- Night Shifts: Ward night team
- Q4 overnight call for all other inpatient rotations
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