Clinical Curriculum
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Continuity Clinics
Throughout the 2 years of residency, residents will be scheduled in their home clinic for 4 half days per block (unless on rural family medicine, or vacation or if they are already at their main family medicine site during their PGY1 family medicine blocktime). These clinics allow residents to maintain a regular connection with their home clinic and faculty advisor, as well as allow for continuity of care with their panel of patients.
Rotation Map
1st Year
- Foundations - 4 weeks (Block 1): Completion of required courses (First Aid, NRP, PALS), workshops, and a general transition to residency.
- Family Medicine - 20 weeks minimum: Integrating maternity and newborn care, Behavioural Medicine workshops, and opportunities for horizontal electives.
- Adult In-patient Medicine - 8 weeks: Experience is divided between Internal Medicine and Family Medicine in-patient units.
- CCU - 4 weeks
- Pediatrics - 6 weeks total (4 weeks Peds ER, 2 weeks community hospital-based)
- Emergency - 4 weeks
- Obstetrics - 2 weeks
- Vacation - 4 weeks: Can be taken all at once or split into 2 x 2 week
2nd Year
In the second year, 16 weeks of Family Medicine block time may be spent with either urban or rural based community family physician(s). A minimum of 8 weeks of rural family medicine is required.
- Urban Family Medicine- 0-8 weeks
- Rural Family Medicine - 8-16 weeks
- Geriatrics - 4 weeks **
- Palliative Care - 2 weeks **
- Psychiatry - 4 weeks **
- Emergency - 4 weeks
- General Surgery - 4 weeks
- Musculoskeletal (MSK) - 2 weeks
- Electives - 8 weeks
- Selectives - 4 weeks
- Vacation - 4 weeks
**Integrated option - may be replaced with elective time if successfully integrated longitudinally into PGY1 and PGY2. For more information see Integrated Options below.
Horizontal Programming
Our Family Medicine program has structured the R1 Family Medicine Blocktime (total 20 weeks) to allow for additional educational opportunities called horizontals. Horizontals are typically ½ day or full day experiences. Some horizontal experiences are mandatory (for example, reproductive and sexual health horizontals) however most horizontals are selected by residents based on interest or individually identified educational needs. This allows a unique customizable residency experience as well. The possibilities are extremely broad and in the past have included anything from newborn assessments in patient’s homes with public health nurses, minor procedures clinics and ride-along with paramedics.
Horizontals currently available
- Acute Medical Detox from Alcohol & Other Substances
- Bariatric
- Behavioural Health & Behavioural Therapy
- Cast Clinic
- Chronic & Complex Disease Management
- Community Access & Services
- EMS & Community Response Ridealongs
- Indigenous Health
- LGBTQ2S+ Health
- Lifestyle Changes For Teens
- Marginalized Populations Health (people experiencing homelessness, Refugees)
- Mental Health Groups
- Neurology
- Nutritional Health
- Pharmacy Services
- Primary Care Hospitalist Team
- Pulmonary Rehab
- Senior's Health
- Skin Issues (foot care, derm, leg ulcers)
- Sports Medicine / MSK Clinics
- Surgery (Breast, Adult and Peds urology, hip & knee, spine)
- Urgent Care
- Women's Health
- Wound Care
Electives
The UofA Family Medicine program is committed to respecting learner interests and self-identified areas requiring additional training. As such we have a large availability of elective experiences and residents have autonomy and flexibility with arranging clinical electives.
Common Electives
- Anesthesiology
- Cardiology
- Child Psychiatry
- Dermatology
- Diabetic Metabolic Clinic
- Emergency Medicine
- ICU
- Inner City Health
- Obstetrics & Gynecology
- Ophthalmology
- Plastic Surgery
- Radiology
Selectives
A four-week Selective can be done instead of four weeks of Family Medicine in PGY2. A Selective is an experience which is not a core four-week rotation, but can be useful to expand on skills for a comprehensive scope of practice.
Selective options
- Advanced Obstetrics
- ICU
- Continuing Care
- Palliative Care
- Anesthesia
- Primary Care Hospital Team (PCHT) or Hospital Care Team (HCT)
- Inner City
Integrated Options
Integrated Options allow residents to pursue deeper learning in a specific area of medicine alongside the standard Family Medicine curriculum. Successful completion provides enhanced experience in the chosen area and elective time in place of the associated core rotation.
Purpose
Integrations support residents’ individual learning and career goals by providing focused clinical, academic, and experiential learning in an area of interest. Successful completion also provides up to four weeks of elective time in place of the associated core rotation.
Responsibility
Learners schedule their own integrated option activities, although they can ask for assistance with locating resources as necessary. It is imperative that residents choosing integrated activities be motivated, self-directed learners willing and able to seek and utilize their own selection of experiences within a general framework. This experience will add to the volume of work and responsibility the residents already have, so it needs to be planned accordingly. This may include scheduling experiences on days off, in the evenings, and on weekends.
Eligibility
Participation is voluntary, and residents must remain in good standing throughout the integration. Residents may apply for one integration and must have the support of their Faculty Advisor. Residents who are off-cycle, may become off-cycle, or have accommodations are welcome to apply, with flexibility available to support individual circumstances and timelines. Progress will be reviewed every six weeks with the Integrated Curriculum Coordinator and in April with the Faculty Advisor. Residents who have completed less than 40% of their integration by the April review, or who are no longer in good standing, may be asked to discontinue the integration.
Please see the Integrated Options Information Sheet.
Application Process
Residents apply through a Google Form distributed by the Integrated Curriculum Coordinator during Block 1. Applications are due by 0800 hrs on the first day of Block 3, with successful applicants notified within 10 business days. Applicants must identify a dedicated primary preceptor who will oversee their integration and complete the required assessments.
Questions
Can be directed to the Integrated Curriculum Coordinator at fmic@ualberta.ca.