Primary Care Residency Program
Rotation Schedule
Residents have required inpatient and outpatient rotations both at Yale-New Haven Hospital (YNHH) and Waterbury Hospital Health Center (WHHC) each year. The rotation schedule consists of thirteen four-week blocks. Each resident has four weeks of vacation each year scheduled as two two-week blocks. Attending rounds are held three times weekly during all inpatient rotations. There is a night float system at Waterbury Hospital that is staffed by PGY 3 residents. Electives are available in all medical subspecialties, including International Health for PGY II and PGY III residents. Electives may be taken at Yale-New Haven Hospital, Waterbury Hospital or the VA Hospital. The International Health Electives are described elsewhere. The ambulatory medicine rotations include general internal medicine and medical subspecialty experiences and an extensive seminar series as described in the Ambulatory Medicine section of our website.
First Post-M.D. Year (PGY-I)
During inpatient rotations, the PGY-I resident is considered to be the patient's primary physician. He or she develops a therapeutic plan, writes orders, and makes decisions about the patient's care. In these activities, there is careful supervision by a PGY-II or PGY-III resident and by the patient's private physician or team attending physician.
Categorical Interns
| Vacation | 1 block |
| Ambulatory | 2 blocks |
| Elective | 1 block |
| YNHH Wards | 2 blocks |
| YNHH CCU | 1 block |
| YNHH ED¹ | 0.5 blocks |
| VA Geriatrics | 1 block |
| WHHC ICU | 1 block |
| WHHC Wards | 4 blocks |
| WHHC ED¹ | 0.5 block |
Preliminary Interns
| Vacation | 1 block |
| Elective² | 3 blocks |
| YNHH Wards | 3 blocks |
| YNHH ED | 1 block |
| WHHC ICU | 2 blocks |
| WHHC Wards | 3 blocks |
1 – Categorical interns also serve as the designated backup person to fill in on an inpatient service for a colleague in case of illness or family emergency during this rotation.
2 – Eight weeks of the electives for preliminary interns can be taken at YNHH, WHHC, or in research. Preliminary interns will also serve as the designated backup person to fill in on an inpatient service for a colleague in case of illness or family emergency during four of the twelve weeks of elective. The elective assignment during this four-week backup period is at Waterbury Hospital on specified services (infectious diseases, nephrology, radiology or rheumatology) where the attending physician is aware of this "backup" obligation.
Second and Third Post-M.D. (PGY-II and PGY III)
During inpatient rotations, the PGY-II and PGY III resident has both direct patient care and supervisory responsibilities for the interns and students on their team. The team attending physician provides supervision for patient care and team management issues.
Categorical PGY II Residents
| Vacation | 1 block |
| Jeopardy² | 1 block |
| Ambulatory | 3 blocks |
| YNHH Wards | 2 blocks |
| YNHH Cardiology | 0.5 blocks |
| YNHH Neurology | 0.5 blocks |
| WHHC ICU | 1.5 blocks |
| WHHC Wards | 1.5 blocks |
| Elective² | 2 blocks |
Categorical PGY III Residents
| Vacation | 1 block |
| Jeopardy¹ | 0.5-1 block |
| Ambulatory | 3 blocks |
| YNHH Wards | 1 block |
| YNHH ED | 0.5 block |
| WHHC ICU | 2 blocks |
| WHHC Wards | 1 block |
| WHHC Consults | 1 block |
| WHHC Night Float | 1 block |
| Elective² | 2 blocks |
1 – Each PGY11 and PGY III resident will have two 2-week rotations designated jeopardy where they will also serve as the backup person to fill in on an inpatient service for a colleague in case of illness or family emergency. Residents can develop a self-directed experience for these rotations such as working on a research project, or choose a selected clinical elective where the attending physician is aware of this "backup" responsibility.
2 – Electives can be taken at YNHH, WHHC, or in International Health.