ABC (Ambulatory Boot Camp)

Most of your first year in our program will be inpatient-based, and we want you to focus on this work.

However, it would be very difficult to jump into the Ambulatory Long Block in the second year without exposure to the ambulatory practice.

The ABC (Ambulatory Boot Camp) is an experience designed to prepare you for success during the Ambulatory Long Block. It is a two week rotation during the beginning of your R2 year where you will be immersed in the ambulatory center learning the skills needed to join a high functioning ambulatory micro-system. ABC Sample Schedule (PDF). This experience consists of three parts:

1. Learning – You will spend four half-days per week in small group learning sessions to learn skills and knowledge essential for practice in the outpatient setting. You will learn how to function efficiently within the outpatient EMR system, how to use high-value communication techniques during outpatient visits, and how to best utilize the support staff within our ambulatory practice (nurses, medical assistants, pharmacists, diabetes educators, and social workers). You will also have an introduction to the management of outpatient preventative care and common outpatient problems such as hypertension, diabetes, chronic pain, musculoskeletal complaints, depression, and obesity.

2. Serving– You will spend four half-days per week in clinic managing acute and follow-up visits. Each person you see will already have an established primary care resident or faculty member in the practice, and you will serve these people as if they were attending an urgent care center. You will work closely with the faculty preceptors and clinic staff to deliver high-value care.

3. Assessing and Reflecting – You will be assessed on your new skills obtained during ABC in order to continually improve and ensure your readiness for the Ambulatory Long Block. You will be able to use time during the Ambulatory Boot Camp to make goals for your Ambulatory Long Block experience. You will also have time to learn from the current Long Block residents before they hand over their patient panels. We call this the Column of Care -- each resident in the Long Block hands their entire patient panel to the resident who follows the next year.

Long Block is all about developing continuous healing relationships that matter. ABC is to get you ready to do this.