Continuity Experiences in General/Geriatric Primary Care
Throughout all 4 years, residents will have their primary care continuity clinic at the VA Portland Maine CBOC, which is located in close proximity to Maine Medical Center. This continuity experience will be staffed by a Geriatrician and other general internists. IM-Ger residents will also have a longitudinal nursing home experience that continues through all 4 years of training, as well as experiences with the VA’s rural telehealth program.
Teaching Conferences
IM-Ger PGY1-3 residents will have access to 1-2 hours each week of Geriatric Medicine interprofessional conferences while on their clinic blocks and ambulatory experiences. PGY-4 will have access to the geriatrics didactics every week. The Geriatric Medicine content includes: Case conferences (including M&M); CORE conferences; Geriatrics QI and Research meetings and journal clubs. PGY-4’s will also have weekly dedicated time to engage in independent study or to work on their QI/research projects. IM-Ger residents in PGY1-3 will also attend intern report, morning report, Department of Medicine Grand Rounds, and the IM academic half-day conference with their IM resident peers.
Scholarly Activity
IM-Ger residents will be required to complete a scholarly project during their residency in addition to being involved in departmental QI. There are also opportunities for engaging in other scholarly activities such as teaching/curriculum development. IM-Ger residents are encouraged to present at and attend at least one national conference during their 4 years. There is also ample opportunity to attend local Geriatric medicine and Internal Medicine conferences, including the Dirigo-Maine Geriatrics Society (affiliate of AGS); the Maine Gerontological Society meetings and the annual Maine ACP chapter meeting.
Rural Experiences
Through our partnerships with the rural health networks of VA Maine and MaineHealth, IM-Ger residents will complete rotations each year in rural medicine, with a focus on the delivery of geriatric medicine in smaller communities.
Curriculum Structure
For the first three years, our curriculum is organized in a “4+2” block scheduling format, which features alternating blocks of 4 weeks (predominately inpatient service blocks, night float, consult rotations, and electives) and 2 weeks (predominately continuity clinic, outpatient medical specialties, quality improvement, administrative time, and vacation). Fourth year curriculum is organized as four week rotations.
First Year: 4 + 2 Schedule Format
| Four Blocks | Weeks |
| General Medicine Inpatient | 8 |
| General Medicine Inpatient Night Float | 2 |
| Critical Care (MICU) | 4 |
| Cardiology Inpatient and CICU | 4 |
| Hematology-Oncology Inpatient | 2 |
| Nephrology Transplant Inpatient | 2 |
| Subspecialty Inpatient Night Float | 2 |
| Emergency Medicine | 2 |
| Geriatrics Inpatient Consult | 2 |
| Geriatrics Rural Block | 2 |
| Quality Improvement-Patient Safety | 1 |
| Electives | 3 |
| Two Blocks | Weeks |
| VA Rural Block | 2 |
|
VA Clinic Blocks: |
12 |
| Vacation | 4 |
Second Year: 4 + 2 Schedule Format
| Four Blocks | Weeks |
| General Medicine Inpatient | 6 |
| General Medicine Inpatient Night Float | 2 |
| Critical Care (MICU) | 4 |
| Cardiology Inpatient and CICU | 4 |
| Hematology-Oncology Inpatient | 2 |
| Infectious Diseases Consult | 2 |
| Nephrology Consult | 2 |
| Rheumatology Consult | 2 |
| Geriatrics Rural Block | 2 |
| Neurology Consult | 4 |
| Electives | 4 |
| Two Blocks | Weeks |
| VA Rural Block | 2 |
|
VA Clinic Blocks: |
12 |
| Vacation | 4 |
Third Year: 4 + 2 Schedule Format
| Four Blocks | Weeks |
| General Medicine Inpatient | 8 |
| Critical Care (MICU) | 4 |
| Cardiology Inpatient and CICU | 2 |
| Subspecialty Inpatient Night Float | 4 (2x2) |
| Emergency Medicine | 2 |
| Pulmonary Consult | 2 |
| Geriatrics Rural Block | 2 |
| Rheumatology Consult | 2 |
| Urology | 2 |
| Quality Improvement-Patient Safety | 1 |
| Electives | 5 |
| Two Blocks | Weeks |
| VA Rural Block | 2 |
|
VA Clinic Blocks: |
12 |
| Vacation | 4 |
Fourth Year
| Four Week Rotations | Weeks |
| Inpatient Geriatrics | 4 |
| Inpatient Geriatrics | 4 |
| Acute Rehab | 4 |
| Acute Rehab | 4 |
| Inpatient Psych | 4 |
| Inpatient Psych | 4 |
| Outpatient Psych | 4 |
| Palliative Care | 4 |
| Elective | 4 |
| Elective | 4 |
| Geriatrics Rural Block | 4 |
| Ambulatory | 8 |
* Includes four weeks of vacation
Fourth Year Continuity Experiences:
- Bi-Monthly VA Continuity/Geri Clinic
- Weekly Geriatric Assessment Center
- Weekly Nursing Home Continuity
- Bi-Monthly Assisted Living
Called the “Jewel by the Sea” by its celebrated native, Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, Portland combines vibrant city life with natural beauty and abundant recreation opportunities.
