Emergency Medicine Residency Curriculum
Didactics | academics
Conference: Our conference schedule (6 hours of protected time on Wednesdays) provides vital educational exposure to the core curriculum of Emergency Medicine. We utilize condensed 15 and 30-minute lectures that deliver high-yield content as well as an interactive evidence-based medicine curriculum, small group discussions, and dedicated EKG and X-ray curriculums. In addition, each resident is given direct supervision and mentoring to achieve academic and professional success.
Simulation: Monthly, EM residents have a full didactic session in the SSH Accredited Simulation Center at Corewell Health Lakeland. This provides a safe environment to practice skills and experience simulated medical cases using fully interactive, high-fidelity manikins and standardized patients. These cases include the treatment of emergency conditions for neonatal, pediatric, maternal, and standardized patients and are designed to enhance the residents' decision-making skills and clinical reasoning.
Procedural competency: Teaching and monitoring of standard ACGME EM procedures including ultrasound are conducted monthly via multiple modalities including procedural task trainers and simulation manikins. This allows residents to practice procedures central to emergency medicine in a controlled environment with one-on-one coaching from faculty.
Supplemental hands-on lab sessions include:
- Obstetrical emergencies
- Anatomy and advanced procedures cadaver lab
- Dental procedures
- Advanced slit lamp
- HAZMAT training (with The Berrien County Regional Response Team)
- Water safety and rescue (with The US Coast Guard)
- Ballistics
- Advanced airway
Board preparation: Our curriculum is designed to continually prepare residents for their ABEM Qualifying and Certifying Examinations. Residents are provided subscriptions to Rosh Review annually. In February, our lectures focus on board review to help our residents prepare for their in-training examinations. Additionally, we have a dedicated Board Preparation Group facilitated by faculty that residents can choose to participate in. We have recently incorporated simulation cases in our curriculum focused on prioritization, managing conflicts, difficult discussions, troubleshooting, and patient-centered communication to help our residents prepare for the new ABEM Certifying Examination format.
Culinary medicine: Introduced as a special part of our curriculum, these educational sessions provide a foundation for residents to learn the importance of diet and nutrition in medicine. The knowledge gained is beneficial for lifestyle and personal growth, and it can be applied to a healthy living approach at home or in patient care. In addition, the culinary medicine classes provide a wellness activity where residents come together to learn, cook, and enjoy healthy and personally crafted food.
Clinical rotation schedule post graduate year 1-3
Each year of residency has 13 four-week rotation blocks.
The first year is demanding but provides residents with well-rounded experiences in both traditional internship rotations and emergency medicine. Residents will develop their core medical knowledge in order to formulate critical decisions in the emergency department.
- 32 weeks emergency medicine
- 4 weeks critical care/ICU
- 4 weeks trauma (at Corewell Health - Butterworth Hospital in Grand Rapids, MI)
- 4 weeks pediatrics
- 2 weeks emergency medicine ultrasound
- 2 weeks EMS
- 2 weeks obstetrics/gynecology
- 2 weeks anesthesia
The second year is focused on improving the residents' ability to manage patient flow in the emergency department and develop academic competency through supervising/teaching junior residents and students. Year 2 rotations are as follows:
- 32 weeks emergency medicine
- 8 weeks critical care/ICU
- 4 weeks PICU (at Corewell Health - Helen DeVos Children's Hospital in Grand Rapids, MI)
- 4 weeks toxicology (Stroger Cook County Hospital in Chicago, IL)
- 4 weeks elective
In the final year, residents will refine their ability to problem-solve, perfect patient disposition and provide efficient medical care. Each resident will be given time to examine his/her own personal academic interests through an elective and research rotation. In addition, an administrative block will enable each resident to experience different supervisory roles required within an emergency department. Year 3 rotations are as follows:
- 40 weeks emergency medicine
- 4 weeks critical care/ICU
- 4 weeks elective
- 2 weeks EM administration
- 2 weeks research