Primer to the Internal Medicine Subinternship

Abstract

Abstract This resource is a 59-page guide that is meant to be used as a stand-alone primer for subinterns and interns in internal medicine. This resource can also be adapted for pediatric, family medicine, and surgical subinterns and interns. The primer is divided into sections covering how to make the most of a subinternship, working in the health care team, advanced communication skills, transitions of care, and practical nuts and bolts. The work is multi-institutional and supported by Clerkship Directors of Internal Medicine, the national organization representing clerkship and subinternship directors in internal medicine. This primer was developed to provide standardized and, when available, evidenced-based guidance for performing practical tasks of internship that are frequently overlooked in traditional medical school curricula. It can be distributed in paper form or as an electronic link during the subinternship and internship orientations. It can also be used to provide examples and/or reinforce concepts presented at related teaching conferences conducted at the local medical school or residency program. The major limitation is the lack of published evidence to support best practices in many of the areas covered in the primer. While other topics, such as time management and conflict negotiation, have a preponderance of resources, these brief distillations are by necessity an oversimplification. Though 15 major academic institutions are represented in this primer, these guidelines were not vetted at all medical schools and may be at variance with certain local standards. Although the chapters are relevant to interns in all specialties, a minor limitation is that many of the examples are specific to internal medicine. Subinternship or program directors in specialties outside of internal medicine may want to adapt the examples to their specialty.

Keywords

• Handoffs
• Time Management
• Subinternship
• Practical Duties