Education | Changes in Residency Training Program
Transition to Firm System and 3+1 Scheduling System
The Internal Medicine residency training program underwent a major reorganization in FY 2014, including the implementation of a “firm” system and the transition to a 3+1 scheduling model (three blocks of inpatient rotations alternating with a dedicated block in the outpatient setting). The changes are intended to enhance both the quality of patient care and the overall educational experience for residents.
2014-15 Internal Medicine Chief Residents (l-r) Michael Devitt, Trish Gordon, Elizabeth McKinney, and Bradley Weinbaum. They were instrumental in planning the transition to the new 3+1 resident scheduling system.
The firm system helps create better group cohesion among residents, with a stronger sense of community and accountability and more consistent clinical care. Firm leaders, drawn from Department of Medicine faculty, are responsible for providing overall direction and maintaining high standards of teaching and clinical care. The four firms—named for illustrious Department of Medicine faculty from its 100-plus-year history—and their leaders are:
- Atuk Firm: Jennifer Kirby, MD (Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism)
- Beckwith Firm: Benjamin Sneed, MD (Division of General Medicine, Hospital Medicine section)
- Hook Firm: Joshua Eby, MD (Division of Infectious Diseases & International Health)
- Wheby Firm: Brian Uthlaut, MD (Division of General Medicine)
The 3+1 scheduling plan was mapped out by a team that included the chief residents, Vice Chair for Education Gerald Donowitz, key clinical faculty, and education program administrators; it became operational on July 1, 2014. One important goal of the transition was to maintain the values and characteristics that distinguish UVA’s program: resident-designed training, a 1:1 resident-intern inpatient team, a curriculum customized to the needs of each resident, and maintenance of a healthy work/life balance.