The primary care residency track within NYU Langone’s Department of Medicine’s Internal Medicine Residency program is meticulously designed to cultivate exceptional, versatile primary care physicians. This comprehensive program seamlessly integrates demanding inpatient training, a robust formal primary care curriculum, and diverse outpatient clinical experiences. We are dedicated to equipping the next generation of doctors to not only navigate but also thrive within the ever-evolving healthcare landscape, all while delivering patient-centric, high-quality, and holistic care, particularly focused on addressing the critical needs of vulnerable populations.
Our rigorous 3-year program welcomes eight residents annually, providing them with unparalleled training opportunities across a network of prestigious institutions. These include NYU Langone’s Tisch Hospital, the state-of-the-art Helen L. and Martin S. Kimmel Pavilion, NYU Langone Hospital—Brooklyn, NYC Health + Hospitals/Bellevue, NYC Health + Hospitals/Gouverneur, and the VA NY Harbor Healthcare System. This broad spectrum of training sites ensures our residents gain experience in diverse healthcare settings, further enhanced by community-based healthcare initiatives and population health studies. A significant portion of the program, approximately 60 percent, is based at Bellevue, with the remaining 40 percent distributed among the other locations, offering a balanced and varied clinical experience.
Graduates of our Primary Care Residency Programs are consistently recognized at a national level for their outstanding clinical preparedness. They embark on successful careers in various sectors of medicine, including academic institutions, private practices, community-focused healthcare organizations, and public service, demonstrating the breadth and depth of the training they receive.
For those interested in applying, the National Resident Matching Program® (NRMP®) code for our primary care residency track is 2978140M0.
In-Depth Look at the Primary Care Track Curriculum
The primary care residency curriculum is thoughtfully structured into blocks, each meticulously designed to achieve specific educational objectives. These blocks incorporate a blend of interactive learning sessions, independent research projects, and resident-led conferences. The program commences in the first year with the Essentials of Primary Care (EPIC) block, an intensive month-long immersion into the core principles of primary care. EPIC focuses on the accurate diagnosis and effective management of prevalent illnesses and the implementation of efficient systems-based practices.
Building upon this foundation, subsequent blocks delve into specialized areas such as dermatology, gender-specific health considerations, clinical epidemiology, addiction medicine, geriatrics and palliative care, health policy, psychosocial medicine, and musculoskeletal medicine.
During ward rotations, residents are fully integrated into both inpatient and ambulatory care settings, following the comprehensive Internal Medicine Residency curriculum. As residents progress into their second and third years, they are presented with a unique opportunity to further customize their ambulatory care block by selecting a third clinic. This elective clinic experience allows for a deeper exploration of specific areas within primary care, enriching their overall training.
Time Allocation Across Training Locations
Image alt text: Chart depicting the percentage of time primary care residents spend at different training locations including Bellevue, Gouverneur, VA NY Harbor, Tisch Hospital, and Kimmel Pavilion. This distribution highlights the diverse clinical settings experienced during the residency program.
Our residents have benefited from a wide array of past clinical experiences, including rotations in specialized Bellevue clinics dedicated to managing conditions such as hemoglobin A1C levels and diabetes, congestive heart failure, hypertension, hepatitis, and providing care for survivors of torture. Furthermore, residents have worked with the World Trade Center Health Program for first responders and in virology and HIV clinics. Expanding beyond Bellevue, clinic experiences extend to the acupuncture and urology clinics at NYC Health + Hospitals/Gouverneur, the NYU Student Health Clinic, and various private medical practices, providing a well-rounded exposure to diverse patient populations and healthcare delivery models.
An integral part of the residency program is the annual lecture delivered by each resident on a chosen topic. This presentation is critically reviewed by peers and faculty, fostering presentation and teaching skills. Residents also actively participate in numerous conferences and events specifically tailored for the primary care residency track. Throughout the program, resident progress is carefully monitored year over year, ensuring continuous professional development and growth.
To maintain an optimal learning environment, we uphold a favorable one-to-three faculty-to-student ratio, guaranteeing personalized attention and high-quality educational experiences for all residents.
Postgraduate Year 1: Building Foundational Skills
The first postgraduate year, PGY-1, is strategically focused on developing the essential clinical competencies necessary to excel as a primary care physician. Interns concentrate on refining deductive reasoning skills, establishing consistent patient care relationships, enhancing psychosocial skills, and fostering effective collaborative relationships with colleagues and support staff.
Essentials of Primary Care 1.0 Block
The initial primary care block, Essentials of Primary Care 1.0, is an immersive four-week intensive training module. It covers the diagnosis and management of prevalent clinical conditions, including hypertension, diabetes, asthma, hyperlipidemia, depression, and hepatitis B. Additionally, interns receive comprehensive training on managing common acute complaints, utilizing interpreter services, navigating electronic medical records systems, and developing effective team-building strategies.
Through a variety of pedagogical approaches, including problem-based case studies, interactive learning sessions, objective structured clinical examinations (OSCEs), video review, and traditional lectures, residents cultivate the skills required for effective general primary care management. The primary objective of this block is to instill a deep understanding of the fundamental principles of primary care and to establish robust clinical practices from the outset of their residency.
Sample Essentials of Primary Care Schedule
| Time | Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Intern Core | Grand Rounds | Clinical Reasoning Conference | |||
| AM | NYC Health + Hospitals/Gouverneur Clinic | Diabetes Overview | Effective Communication with Patients | Bellevue Clinic | Problem-Based Learning: Lipid Management |
| Diabetes Case Discussion | Management of Dyspepsia | The Well Visit | |||
| 12:00PM | Psychosocial Rounds | Journal Club | Essentials of Primary Care Clinicians | ||
| PM | Gouverneur Clinic | Gouverneur Clinic | Problem-Based Learning: Hypertension | Panel Management | NYC Health + Hospitals/Gouverneur Clinic |
| 3PM Conference |
Psychosocial Medicine Block
The eight-week psychosocial medicine block provides residents with in-depth training on the critical doctor–patient relationship, medical ethics, and the multifaceted psychosocial dimensions of patient care. Residents acquire the essential knowledge and practical skills to effectively manage common psychiatric conditions, such as depression, anxiety, substance use disorders, and somatization.
Teaching methodologies are diverse and engaging, incorporating group interviews, role-playing exercises, audio and video recording for self-assessment, and learner-centered instructional techniques to enhance understanding and application of psychosocial principles in clinical practice.
Addiction Medicine Training
In the focused two-week addiction medicine block, residents gain a comprehensive understanding of substance use disorders from both clinical and public health perspectives. Key skills taught include pharmacotherapy and motivational interviewing techniques, equipping residents with the tools to effectively treat individuals struggling with these disorders. Residents also complete specialized training in prescribing buprenorphine and participate in rotations at primary care buprenorphine clinics, gaining practical experience in medication-assisted treatment.
Self-Directed Learning Opportunities
Throughout each year of residency training, a dedicated self-directed learning block is available. This two-week period empowers residents to design or select their own learning experience within a specialty area of their choosing. These experiences can range widely, from clinical rotations to research projects and quality improvement initiatives. Many residents leverage this opportunity to explore areas of particular interest that may not be extensively covered elsewhere in the core curriculum. Others utilize this time to prepare for the unique challenges associated with specific primary care settings, such as rural or underserved communities. Past resident self-directed learning experiences have encompassed topics such as social justice in medicine and in-depth courses in the medical humanities, reflecting the diverse interests and career goals of our residents.
Postgraduate Year 2: Refining Ambulatory Care Expertise
The second postgraduate year, PGY-2, focuses on honing ambulatory care skills and integrating evidence-based medicine principles into daily clinical practice through a variety of outpatient clinical experiences.
Essentials of Primary Care 2.0 Block
Building upon the foundational knowledge gained in Essentials of Primary Care 1.0, the four-week Essentials of Primary Care 2.0 block delves deeper into the core areas of primary care medicine. While the first year may have introduced essential hypertension, the 2.0 block explores more complex aspects of the disease, including secondary causes and resistant hypertension. Furthermore, PGY-2 residents begin to develop their teaching skills, engaging in discussions and practice sessions focused on effective teaching strategies applicable to ward settings, preparing them for future roles as educators and mentors.
Musculoskeletal Medicine Training
This focused two-week block addresses neurological, rheumatologic, and sports medicine complaints commonly encountered in primary care settings. Residents enhance their ability to accurately evaluate and effectively treat a wide range of neurological and musculoskeletal conditions. Teaching modules are designed to refine musculoskeletal examination techniques and the performance of simple procedures, including joint injections. Specialty clinic rotations are conducted at both NYU Langone Health and NYC Health+Hospitals/Bellevue, providing exposure to diverse patient populations and clinical environments.
Clinical Epidemiology and Medical Decision-Making Course
This comprehensive six-week course lays the essential groundwork in evidence-based medicine. Residents learn to critically evaluate medical literature, apply quantitative decision-making techniques, and formulate and answer impactful clinical research questions. The course culminates in a research project, with many residents going on to present their findings at national medical conferences, showcasing their research skills and contributing to the broader medical community.
Gender Health Curriculum
During the four-week gender health course, residents expand and refine their understanding of health issues specific to gender and sexuality. This is achieved through a combination of targeted clinical experiences and interactive workshops.
Through resident- and faculty-led learning sessions and objective structured clinical examinations, key topics are explored in detail. These include sexuality and sexual dysfunction, health concerns within the LGBTQ+ community, contraception, menopause management, infertility, common gynecological problems, and gender-specific cancer screening protocols, ensuring residents are well-versed in providing inclusive and comprehensive care.
Sample Gender Health Schedule
| Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Grand Rounds | PGY-2 Resident Core | Clinical Reasoning Conference | |||
| AM | Reproductive Health Clinic | Prostate Health Lecture | Cervical Cancer Screening Lecture | Urology Clinic | Abnormal Uterine Bleeding Case Discussion |
| Endocrinology Clinic | Contraception Lecture | Osteoporosis Lecture | |||
| Transgender Health Lecture | |||||
| 12:00PM | Psychosocial Rounds | Journal Club | |||
| PM | Bellevue Clinic | NYC Health + Hospitals/Gouverneur Pap Test Clinic | Women’s Health Continuity Time | Home Visits | NYC Health + Hospitals/Gouverneur Clinic |
| 3PM Conference |
Global Health Electives
Global health electives, offering two- or four-week clinical, research, or teaching experiences abroad, are available to second- and third-year residents through NYU Grossman School of Medicine or external institutions. Residents also have the option to design their own global health experience, tailoring it to their specific interests and career goals. Further details on applying for global health electives are available through the provided link.
Dermatology Rotation
Residents dedicate two weeks to high-volume outpatient dermatology clinics at the VA NY Harbor Healthcare System and Bellevue. During this rotation, they gain practical experience in the diagnosis and management of common dermatological conditions and procedures relevant to primary care settings, enhancing their ability to address dermatological concerns in their future practices.
Community and Home Medicine Block
In this two-week block, residents delve into the social determinants of health, developing crucial skills for delivering care to patients in their home environments. A key component of this block is the completion of a community health research project. This involves conducting home visits with patients and undertaking an exploration of the health needs and resources within a chosen community, fostering a deeper understanding of population health and community-based care.
Postgraduate Year 3: Advanced Expertise and Leadership Development
The third postgraduate year, PGY-3, is dedicated to solidifying the resident’s knowledge base, refining leadership and teaching abilities, and further developing clinical expertise in specific areas of interest within primary care.
Essentials of Primary Care 3.0
In Essentials of Primary Care 3.0, residents engage in critical analysis of landmark medical studies, discuss complex patient management strategies for individuals with advanced diseases and multiple comorbidities, and participate in a deliberative practice curriculum to enhance patient interviewing skills. Crucially, PGY-3 focuses on preparing residents for their transition beyond residency. This includes a CV-drafting workshop and interactive sessions with residency alumni who offer invaluable insights and answer questions about the job application process and career pathways in internal medicine.
Research Practicum
This immersive two-week research practicum provides residents with a hands-on experience conducting a complete research project from initiation to completion. Building upon the skills developed during the clinical epidemiology block, residents collaborate with a research team to analyze datasets, formulate research questions, and develop evidence-based solutions. With guidance from experienced research faculty, residents work collaboratively to write research abstracts and submit papers for publication, fostering their scholarly abilities and contributing to medical knowledge. Many residents successfully publish their research and present their findings at prestigious national conferences.
Health Policy and Economics Course
This comprehensive six-week course equips residents with the knowledge and skills necessary to become effective patient advocates and to influence policy decisions that shape the healthcare system.
Taught by a diverse faculty comprising NYU Langone experts, politicians, managed care executives, and hospital administrators, the health policy and economics course is structured as a seminar series culminating in a health advocacy project.
Residents participate in lobbying trips to Albany, New York, and Washington, D.C., engaging directly with state and federal representatives. They advocate for policy changes addressing critical health issues. Past resident projects have covered a wide spectrum of important topics, including:
- Implementing formal incentives to attract primary care physicians to underserved areas, addressing healthcare disparities.
- Advocating for state legislation mandating palliative care availability in all hospitals, ensuring comprehensive patient care.
- Promoting presumed consent for organ donation to increase organ availability and save lives.
- Securing reimbursement for advanced care planning discussions between healthcare providers and critically ill patients, facilitating patient-centered care.
- Expanding Medicare-supported residency positions to address physician shortages and improve healthcare access.
Geriatrics and Palliative Care Block
In this vital two-week block, residents master the specialized skills required to provide compassionate and comprehensive care for elderly and terminally ill patients. This is achieved through rotations in geriatric clinics, conducting home visits to understand patients in their living environments, engaging in didactic learning sessions, and participating in field trips to nursing homes and hospice care settings. Palliative care principles and practices are explored through patient consultations and focused lectures, ensuring residents are prepared to provide end-of-life care with sensitivity and expertise.
Musculoskeletal Medicine (Advanced)
This two-week advanced musculoskeletal medicine block builds upon prior training, further enhancing residents’ ability to evaluate and treat complex neurological, rheumatologic, and sports medicine complaints frequently seen in primary care. Teaching modules continue to refine musculoskeletal exam techniques and procedural skills, including joint injections. Specialty clinic rotations take place at private orthopedic and rheumatology practices as well as Bellevue, providing diverse clinical exposure and advanced learning opportunities.
Leadership and Professionalism Course
This four-week course is specifically designed to cultivate essential teaching and leadership skills that align with residents’ career development priorities. The curriculum covers key topics such as effective precepting techniques, strategies for running productive meetings, and best practices for working effectively with medical students, preparing residents for future leadership roles in medical education and practice.
Conferences and Events: Collaborative Learning and Professional Growth
All residents in the primary care residency track at NYU Grossman School of Medicine’s Internal Medicine Residency program actively participate in a variety of resident-led conferences and events alongside their peers and faculty.
These enriching educational experiences include engaging case discussions, interactive seminars, bedside rounds for real-time learning, and didactic lectures covering a wide range of topics. Conferences are recorded, allowing residents to review sessions and enhance their learning. Residents also participate in video reviews of their performance, receiving valuable feedback to further refine their teaching and presentation skills.
3PM Conference: Resident Presentations
During the 90-minute 3PM Conference, residents gain practical experience in lecturing and teaching by presenting to their colleagues on a topic of their choosing. Faculty members provide guidance and support in developing these presentations. Attendees actively evaluate each presentation, and residents receive structured feedback from faculty, fostering continuous improvement in their presentation and teaching abilities.
Essentials for Primary Care Conference: Core Topic Focus
In these focused 45-minute conferences, residents select from a curated list of core Essentials for Primary Care (EPIC) topics and prepare a concise lesson for their colleagues. The format is flexible, but these sessions typically emphasize the development of knowledge and skills directly applicable to outpatient settings, ensuring practical relevance for primary care practice.
Psychosocial Case Conference: In-Depth Case Review
This weekly conference provides a forum for residents to thoroughly review patient cases, discuss complex diagnostic challenges, and engage in conversations that reinforce and advance the skills developed during the PGY-1 psychosocial medicine block. Working collaboratively as a group, residents develop effective patient care management strategies, debrief challenging cases, and deepen their clinical knowledge of psychosocial medicine topics, fostering a supportive and collaborative learning environment.
Clinical Reasoning Case Conference: Patient-Centered Discussion
Primary care residents on ambulatory blocks participate in this weekly morning conference, which serves as a platform to discuss diverse patient cases and related clinical questions, including clinical reasoning processes and optimal patient management strategies. This conference format encourages collaborative problem-solving and enhances clinical decision-making skills.
Journal Club: Evidence-Based Medicine in Practice
During the weekly journal club conference, residents apply structured, evidence-based evaluation methods to current medical literature. Each resident prepares one or two presentations annually in an interactive conference format, fostering critical appraisal skills and promoting the integration of current research into clinical practice.
Primary Care Retreat: Program Reflection and Innovation
Faculty and residents participate in an annual two-day primary care retreat. This retreat provides a valuable opportunity to collectively review and reflect on the residency program, brainstorm potential improvements, and foster program innovation. Considered a highlight of the academic year by many participants, the retreat catalyzes both targeted refinements and broader innovations within the program, ensuring continuous program evolution and enhancement.
National and Regional Meetings: Professional Development and Networking
Third-year medical residents and those with research projects accepted for presentation as abstracts or posters receive departmental funding to support travel to national meetings. The department also provides financial support for residents to participate in relevant training courses within New York City, as well as attendance at regional conferences and other local meetings, promoting professional development, networking opportunities, and exposure to the broader medical community.
Contact Us for More Information
The primary care residency track is expertly overseen by Dr. Jennifer G. Adams. For further information about the program, please do not hesitate to contact us at [email protected].
Explore more about graduate medical education programs at NYU Grossman School of Medicine and access essential information for both incoming and current house staff through the provided links.
