Clinical Curriculum
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Continuity Clinics
Throughout the 2 years of residency, residents will be scheduled in their home clinic for 4 half days per block (unless on rural family medicine, or vacation or if they are already at their main family medicine site during their PGY1 family medicine blocktime). These clinics allow residents to maintain a regular connection with their home clinic and faculty advisor, as well as allow for continuity of care with their panel of patients.
Rotation Map
1st Year
- Foundations - 4 weeks (Block 1): Completion of required courses (First Aid, NRP, PALS), workshops, and a general transition to residency.
- Family Medicine - 20 weeks minimum: Integrating maternity and newborn care, Behavioural Medicine workshops, and opportunities for horizontal electives.
- Adult In-patient Medicine - 8 weeks: Experience is divided between Internal Medicine and Family Medicine in-patient units.
- CCU - 4 weeks
- Pediatrics - 6 weeks total (4 weeks Peds ER, 2 weeks community hospital-based)
- Emergency - 4 weeks
- Obstetrics - 4 weeks
- Vacation - 4 weeks: Can be taken all at once or split into 2 x 2 week
2nd Year
In the second year, 16 weeks of Family Medicine block time may be spent with either urban or rural based community family physician(s). A minimum of 8 weeks of rural family medicine is required.
- Urban Family Medicine- 0-8 weeks
- Rural Family Medicine - 8-16 weeks
- Geriatrics - 4 weeks **
- Palliative Care - 2 weeks **
- Psychiatry - 4 weeks **
- Emergency - 4 weeks
- General Surgery - 4 weeks
- Musculoskeletal (MSK) - 2 weeks
- Electives - 8 weeks
- Selectives - 4 weeks
- Vacation - 4 weeks
**Integrated option - may be replaced with elective time if successfully integrated longitudinally into PGY1 and PGY2. For more information see Integrated Options below.
Horizontal Programming
Our Family Medicine program has structured the R1 Family Medicine Blocktime (total 20 weeks) to allow for additional educational opportunities called horizontals. Horizontals are typically ½ day or full day experiences. Some horizontal experiences are mandatory (for example, reproductive and sexual health horizontals) however most horizontals are selected by residents based on interest or individually identified educational needs. This allows a unique customizable residency experience as well. The possibilities are extremely broad and in the past have included anything from newborn assessments in patient’s homes with public health nurses, minor procedures clinics and ride-along with paramedics.
Horizontals currently available
- Acute Medical Detox from Alcohol & Other Substances
- Bariatrics
- Behavioural Health & Behavioural Therapy
- Cast Clinic
- Chronic & Complex Disease Management
- Community Access & Services
- EMS & Community Response Ridealongs
- Indigenous Health
- LGBTQ2S+ Health
- Lifestyle Changes For Teens
- Marginalized Populations Health (people experiencing homelessness, Refugees)
- Mental Health Groups
- Neurology
- Nutritional Health
- Pharmacy Services
- Primary Care Hospitalist Team
- Pulmonary Rehab
- Senior's Health
- Skin Issues (foot care, derm, leg ulcers)
- Sports Medicine / MSK Clinics
- Surgery (Breast, Adult and Peds urology, hip & knee, spine)
- Urgent Care
- Women's Health
- Wound Care
Electives
The UofA Family Medicine program is committed to respecting learner interests and self-identified areas requiring additional training. As such we have a large availability of elective experiences and residents have autonomy and flexibility with arranging clinical electives.
Common Electives
- Anesthesiology
- Cardiology
- Child Psychiatry
- Dermatology
- Diabetic Metabolic Clinic
- Emergency Medicine
- ICU
- Inner City Health
- Obstetrics & Gynecology
- Ophthalmology
- Plastic Surgery
- Radiology
Selectives
A four-week Selective can be done instead of four weeks of Family Medicine in PGY2. A Selective is an experience which is not a core four-week rotation, but can be useful to expand on skills for a comprehensive scope of practice.
Selective options
- Advanced Obstetrics
- ICU
- Continuing Care
- Palliative Care
- Anesthesia
- Primary Care Hospital Team (PCHT) or Hospital Care Team (HCT)
- Inner City
Integrated Options
The Residency Program provides opportunities for residents to plan and meet learning objectives of certain rotations at an extended pace in a unique way. By integrating a rotation, residents will have clinical and academic experiences longitudinally throughout a portion of their residency program alongside their block rotations.
Purpose
By choosing to integrate a rotation, residents may:
- Schedule up to an additional 4 weeks of elective time during their PGY2 year (PGY1 if integrate PCHT) or
- Continue to enhance learning by completing the usual rotation during their PGY2 year
The spirit of integration is to promote or foster an interest in the area of integration, to enhance their learning for future practice. It is not intended only as a mechanism through which to gain elective time.
Responsibility
Learners schedule their own integrated option activities, although they can ask for assistance with locating resources as necessary. It is imperative that residents choosing integrated activities be motivated, self-directed learners willing and able to seek and utilize their own selection of experiences within a general framework. This experience will add to the volume of work and responsibility the residents already have, so it needs to be planned accordingly. This may include scheduling experiences on days off, in the evenings, and on weekends.
Eligibility
The resident must remain in good standing throughout their integration, including production of timely progress reports and a demonstrated commitment to meeting their family medicine objectives.
The resident’s progress in their chosen integration will be reviewed every 6 weeks with the Integrated Curriculum Coordinator, and in April with their Faculty Advisor.
Failure to have at least 40% of the integration completed by the Faculty Advisor meeting, or to remain in good standing in the residency program, may result in The Department recommending the resident discontinue the integration.
Please see the 2023-24 Integrated Options Information Sheet and Application Form.
Application Process
- Discuss and have the integrated option approved by the Faculty Advisor.
- Complete the integrated option application and submit it by the application deadline.
- The application will be reviewed by The Department, and residents will be notified of their application outcome within 10 business days of the application deadline.
- Acceptance of an application for an integrated option may be limited by available resources.