Primary Care Training Pathway

What is the Primary Care Pathway?

The mission of the Primary Care Pathway is to provide exceptional outpatient training that readies residents for a career in outpatient internal medicine. Designed for those considering a career in community primary care, academic general internal medicine, or geriatrics, though we welcome those interested in primarily ambulatory-based subspecialty fellowships such as endocrinology, rheumatology, hematology, or nephrology.

If a member of the primary care pathway ultimately decides to pursue a procedural or other specialty, they are more than able to do so with the robust general training all our categorical residents receive.

How Will the Primary Care Pathway Enhance My Training?

Members of the Primary Care Pathway receive approximately 4 additional months of dedicated ambulatory training over 3 years, which generally replace time on the wards or in the intensive care unit. This occurs as 4-week blocks: one as a PGY1 and 3, and two as a PGY2.

• These primary care rotations combine practice in your continuity practice with training in ambulatory subspecialties selected based on each resident’s interests as well as to enhance the broad base of knowledge and skills needed in primary care. The month-long rotations also immerse you in your continuity clinic, so that you can better experience the continuity and close follow up that make primary care special.
• The primary care months are personalized based on your interests and goals in conjunction with the Associate Program Director in Primary Care.

Specialty experiences in the primary care months can include any and all of the general medicine subspecialties, as well as complex care management, dermatology, podiatry, orthopedics, ENT, weight management, neuropsychology, home visits, and others. We are willing to work with you to customize your experience!

Primary care dedicated seminar: You will be given the time and coverage during your PGY1 and PGY3 years to attend Harvard Medical School’s Department of Continuing Education five-day national conference, “Primary Care Internal Medicine: Principles and Practice.”

Mentorship: You will be offered a primary care mentor based on your interests.

Networking: Not only will you enjoy a few social gatherings with the primary care community at Mount Auburn, but as a member of the Harvard Medical School community, you are invited to join the Center for Primary Care at HMS Society of General Internal Medicine – Junior residents are provided coverage and receive funding to attend the annual or regional national meeting.