The Med-Peds program is a dynamic residency built on the foundation of its two parent residency programs, internal medicine and pediatrics. Both parent programs are recognized for their excellence in training residents. Rush University Medical Center and Rush Medical College are leaders in academic medicine. Residents play an important role in directing the program and implementing changes in the residency program.

A Unique Training Opportunity

Graduated Responsibility

The Rush educational program is based on the philosophy that clinical skills are acquired through a logical progression of experiences. Initially, residents focus on acquiring data-gathering skills, identifying problems, assessing the severity of illness and mastering procedural skills. Senior residents manage patients independently under faculty supervision in a variety of settings. By supervising and teaching other residents, interns and students, senior residents gain leadership skills.

The Learning Environment

Rush provides a very diverse learning environment. The Med-Peds Ambulatory Care Conference (MPACC), led by a designated resident, focuses on the outpatient management of common problems in both medicine and pediatrics through case discussions. Residents also discuss office management issues. Conferences are held daily at Lifetime Medical Associates; topics change weekly. Residents also attend teaching sessions in the departments of Internal Medicine and Pediatrics. Conferences are held daily, these sessions include:

• discussions about general and subspecialty topics
• research and basic science conferences
• case conferences
• Board Review Sessions

The Advisor System

Each resident chooses a faculty member and an upper-level resident as advisors. Easy, open communication between faculty and residents creates a responsive learning environment.

Resident Involvement

The cornerstone of education in the Rush Med-Peds program is the active role residents play in management. Several forums offer Med-Peds residents opportunities to make contributions and shape the program:

• Monthly lunch meetings give residents the opportunity to discuss concerns with the program directors and program administrator.
• The Med-Peds Steering Committee addresses the educational and philosophical issues of the program.
• Lifetime Medical Associates (the Med-Peds office practice) has several committees that work to improve the delivery of patient care services; resident involvement is always welcome.
• Two representatives from the Med-Peds program are elected to serve on the Rush Housestaff Association.

Ambulatory Training

The Rush outpatient curriculum includes one rotation in the intern year and two rotations in the subsequent years in which the resident spends the entire day at Lifetime Medical Associates. During these rotations, residents expand their outpatient practices, participate in outpatient research, become involved in quality improvement projects and provide urgent care for the practice.

As training progresses over the four years, residents become more involved in outpatient care, eventually spending the bulk of their time in ambulatory settings.

Research

Residents may choose to do a research project during their training. Opportunities exist to join existing research of faculty or to develop independent research.