The curriculum of the ambulatory care blocks are designed to provide our graduating residents an intellectual foundation in research methods, evidence based medicine and systems based practice as well as a clinical foundation in generalist and subspecialty ambulatory practice.

In the PGY1 year, the Metabolism and Scholarship Block includes an introduction to research methods and evidence based medicine with specific attention to research methods, epidemiology and statistics, critical appraisal of the literature, and principles of quality improvement. Newly learned skills are applied as residents design and implement site specific quality improvement projects. Clinical services during this rotation are based at the Joslin Diabetes Center and Center for Metabolic Health at The Hospital of Central Connecticut. Residents work with endocrinologists and interdisciplinary teams to provide comprehensive care for patients while improving their skills in physical examination, communication and counseling.

PGY1 residents continue to build clinical skills in a second ambulatory block based at UConn Health’s outpatient services with concentrations in Dermatology, Ophthalmology, and ENT.

During the PGY2 year, the eight-week Primary Care Block (PCB) is based at The Burgdorf/Bank of America Health Center in Hartford. The PCIM curriculum in research design and evidence based medicine is continued as well as specific modules in pre-operative evaluation, telephone medicine, and management of HIV infection. Clinical responsibilities in multidisciplinary services including onsite clinics in Cardiology, Pulmonary Medicine, Nephrology, Infectious Diseases, Endocrinology, Office Gynecology, General Surgery, and Urgent Care as well as placements in community private practice offices affiliated with Saint Francis Hospital and Medical Center. The Burgdorf chief medical resident runs an ambulatory morning report with case-based discussions and coordinates weekly pathology rounds at the hospital to review cases seen in the resident clinics.

The PGY3 ambulatory block is designed to integrate and apply the skills from didactic and clinical experiences in the PGY1 and PGY2 ambulatory blocks. Residents work in the office practices of community based internal medicine faculty. Working in tandem with practicing general internists, residents care for patients who present for routine as well as urgent appointments and learn critical elements of office practice management. From the intricacies of billing and coding to addressing the range of needs of patients who call during the night and coordination of care with inpatient services, this experience prepares our trainees for successful transition to careers in contemporary medicine.