Didactics and Conferences
The Internal Medicine Residency Program focuses on providing high-quality didactics during morning and afternoon sessions which enhance medical knowledge and skills of the residents. We have a comprehensive curriculum for didactics that includes subspecialty lectures, MKSAP board review and afternoon reports. Additionally, we have Journal Club, Cardiac Cath Conference and Morbidity and Mortality Conference once every month. Grand Rounds are held every Tuesday.

An outline of some of the didactics is given in the following table:

 
Simulation
Our program is equipped with a state-of-the-art lab – The Nayan K. Kothari MD Simulation Center for Interprofessional Learning – where residents can develop basic procedural skills under the direct supervision of critical care attending physicians. We hold “Open Sim” sessions at least once every quarter, where residents practice different skills on mannequins in a safe environment. These procedures include endotracheal intubation, central venous line placement, arterial line placement, lumbar puncture, ultrasound-guided paracentesis, and ultrasound-guided peripheral line placement.

ACCESS (Advanced Communication, Clinical Examination, and Simulation Skills) Afternoon Sessions and Exam
Saint Peter’s Internal Medicine Residency Program has a long history of working with the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh as a part of our commitment to improve the clinical skills of residents.

A delegation from the Royal College visit Saint Peter’s University Hospital every year to conduct formative assessments which are referred to as ACCESS exams. This activity is longitudinal and emphasizes the importance of deliberate practice and immediate feedback. This exam is designed to test bedside skills and communication skills of the residents through standardized patients.

To enable the residents to navigate through this exam, we hold a robust session every Tuesday for all interns and senior residents from the continuity clinic cohort. Seniors strengthen teaching skills by serving as lead instructors of some of the sessions.

Wellness
The Internal Medicine Residency Program at Saint Peter’s University Hospital is committed to resident wellness. Resident wellness includes physical, emotional, financial, social, and occupational health.

Our approach to resident wellness is multi-layered and includes institutional resources, departmental commitment, the GME community, residency program attributes, and individual factors

Institutional Resources: As an institution, Saint Peter’s University Hospital offers resources and services, such as the Employee Assistance Program (EAP), Human Resources policies and procedures, access to health insurance, and programs designed to improve employee well-being. Our institution has a long history of resident education (>60 years!) and is committed to ensuring continued success.

Graduate Medical Education (GME): The GME department provides oversight, guidance, and support regarding the well-being of residents, fellows, and faculty members. The GME department has a Wellness Committee comprised of faculty and resident members who meet regularly to discuss resident wellness. This committee maintains a list of resources and is responsible for maintaining the GME Wellness Policy. The GME ensures all Saint Peter’s University Hospital residency programs adhere to policies and procedures based on ACGME’s regulations.

Residency Program: We strive to promote a culture that emphasizes resident wellness. Our residency leadership values and appreciates all our residents. From research publications, fellowship positions, making a great diagnosis, personal milestones like having a baby or getting married to small acts of kindness like sitting with a patient for companionship, we recognize and celebrate resident accomplishments. Every resident possesses unique talents and qualities, and everyone belongs at the table!

Work-life balance is a priority. Our schedules are tailored to allow residents to take time off when needed for illness, dental/health appointments, important life events, etc. Residents have 4 weeks of vacation time per year. We provide additional time off for residents to attend conferences and interviews. We strictly adhere to ACGME duty hour regulations and ensure residents are not overworked.

We promote and encourage our residents to form healthy relationships with each other. The shared experience of residency is a special one and having a strong peer group can help residents succeed.

Scholarly Activity
Residents are encouraged to participate in meaningful scholarly activities. Our residents have presented at almost all national level meetings and have won competitions both at the state and national level. The program provides financial support to residents for such meetings.

We also participate in two big events in the hospital, one annual research day for the department of medicine and the other is institutional research day where residents from different departments participate and present their scholarly work.