Block Schedule

“4 + 1” Block Schedule

Our program utilizes a "4+1" block schedule. The schedule is organized into 10, five-week blocks consisting of four weeks of a core residency rotation followed by a one-week ambulatory block.

The block schedule eliminates the interruption of rotations to attend half-day resident continuity clinics and allows residents to focus on ambulatory medicine during the clinic week.

Sample Block Schedule

Team A

Team B

Team C

Team D

Team E

Ambulatory

Elective

Elective

Geriatrics

Ward

Wards

Ambulatory

Elective

Geriatrics

Ward

Wards

ICU

Ambulatory

Geriatrics

Ward

Wards

ICU

Night Float

Ambulatory

Ward

Wards

ICU

Night Float

Elective

Ambulatory

Ambulatory

ICU

Night Float

Elective

Cardiology

ICU

Ambulatory

Night Float

Elective

Cardiology

PGY1

Rotation

Weeks

Internal Medicine Inpatient

16

Internal Medicine Nights

4

ICU (Days and Nights)

8

Cardiology

4

Outpatient Internal Medicine

10

Electives

10

PGY2

Rotation

Weeks

Internal Medicine Inpatient

8

Internal Medicine Nights

4

ICU (Days and Nights)

8

Cardiology

4

Pulmonary/Procedures and Ultrasound

4

Hospital Medicine

4

Outpatient Internal Medicine

10

Electives

10

PGY3

Rotation

Weeks

Internal Medicine Inpatient

4

Internal Medicine Nights

4

ICU (Days and Nights)

8

Hospital Medicine

4

Emergency Medicine

2

Outpatient Internal Medicine

10

Geriatrics

2

Addiction Medicine

2

Advanced Ambulatory

4

Elective

12

Electives:

  • Allergy/ Immunology
  • Cardiology
  • Dermatology
  • Electrophysiology
  • Endocrinology
  • Gastroenterology
  • Hematology/ Oncology
  • Infectious Disease
  • Nephrology
  • Neurology
  • Palliative Care
  • Pulmonology
  • Rheumatology
  • Wound Care

Simulation Center

The Internal Medicine residency program at Grand Strand Medical Center boasts an integrated, interactive ultrasound curriculum that comprises a series of point-of-care ultrasound diagnostic and procedural skills integral to the practice of an internist.

Our residents follow the Montefiore-10 curriculum and are introduced to ultrasound skills and knowledge including:

  • Performing paracentesis, thoracentesis, lumbar puncture under ultrasound
  • Performing peripheral venous and arterial catheterization under ultrasound
  • Ultrasound-guided central venous catheter placement
  • Cardiopulmonary diagnostic ultrasound
  • Diagnosis of deep vein thrombosis with ultrasound
  • Review of anatomical ultrasound for many solid organs

Residents participate in a two to three hour simulation and ultrasound half-day on Tuesday afternoons during their clinic week on the 4+1 schedule.

By the end of PGY3 year, internal medicine residents have had ample training in bedside ultrasound and complicated patient/code management above and beyond what is offered by most resident training programs.