Family Medicine Curriculum and Goals

Goals:

• Introduce the resident to the theoretical foundation of Family Medicine
• Develop skills to effectively function in an outpatient setting
• Recognize the attributes and strengths Family Medicine offers physicians and the community
• Educate residents in the broad clinical scope of Family Medicine
• Educate residents in using evidence-based resources in a clinical setting
• Foster a sense of compassion and camaraderie amongst peers

Student Rotations

Medical students will have the opportunity to familiarize themselves with a diverse population and a variety of acute and chronic diseases. During the rotation, students will be assigned to work alongside different residents and faculty members.

All inpatient rotations are based at Stamford Hospital. Most outpatient rotations are done in local physicians' offices. Others can be arranged as "away" electives. Electives are chosen by the resident with the input of the faculty advisor.

Rotations

Additional Learning Opportunities

Through lectures, consultation with our excellent specialists, discussion with faculty, and managing their own patients, residents continually expand their knowledge base. There is an emphasis on the importance of continually improving their fund of knowledge through journal club, rounds, lectures, and monthly FM conference days.

FM conference day occurs once per month and is entirely devoted to the education of residents. This day includes journal club, lectures, procedural workshops, and board review. In addition to these lectures, the residents attend weekly medical and pediatric grand rounds in which experts from around the country present many interesting topics. Teaching rounds occur in the hospital three times per week with the family medicine residency faculty, and twice per week with family medicine attendees from our community.

Behavioral Medicine

Behavioral medicine is integrated and emphasized longitudinally throughout the three years of residency. There are regular behavioral medicine and psychiatry lectures, rounds in the hospital and nursing home, and supervision in the Family Medicine Center. In addition, there is a one-month rotation in the second year that emphasizes community and outpatient experiences. Geriatrics, preventive medicine, complementary medicine, and practice management also have substantial longitudinal experiences. An extensive lecture schedule is offered both in the Hospital and in the Family Medicine Center.