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.