Frequently Asked Questions
How is the Women’s Health track different from Categorical Internal Medicine training?
As part of the Women’s Health track, residents complete all of the core Internal Medicine training that is required of the categorical residents, including ICU and inpatient ward rotations, procedure and patient care requirements. They are board eligible for certification in Internal Medicine at the completion of their 3 years of training. In addition, residents gain supplemental knowledge and experience in key areas of Women’s Health including bone health, breast health, menopause, mental health, adolescent health, and outpatient gynecology. Residents complete elective rotations in Women’s Health and Breast Health as well as an ambulatory care teaching block which encompasses a wide variety of outpatient experiences and didactic sessions. Women’s Health residents also have continuity clinics in both gynecology and primary care psychiatry. Through interdisciplinary training, residents gain additional insight in Women’s Health to better provide comprehensive care of female patients.
What do residents in the Women’s Health track do when they complete their training?
Residents graduating from the Women’s Health track go on to a variety of career opportunities. Graduates have been highly successful in acceptance to various subspecialty fellowships including to date: Rheumatology, Endocrinology, Cardiology, and Hematology Oncology.. Many have incorporated their Women’s Health interest into their fellowship research or area of expertise. Some graduates have gone on to Women’s Health fellowships where they have pursued further training in research and/or education in Women’s Health. Others have entered private practice, some at Women’s Health Centers around the country, some in academic Internal Medicine settings.. Overall, Women’s Health residents are highly sought for their additional training in Women’s Health.
What are the key requirements for completing the Women’s Health track?
Residents complete all requirements for residency in Internal Medicine. Residents complete two 4-week blocks of a Women’s Health elective, one 4-week block of Breast Health, and two 4-week blocks of the ambulatory care teaching block (clinics and didactics). Residents attend periodic continuity clinics in gynecology and mental health (4-5 sessions of each during the first year and 8-10 sessions each during the second and third year). In addition, they are required to attend monthly journal clubs. Residents present one article during each year of training.
What additional opportunities are available for Women’s Health residents?
One of the key benefits to the program is the collegiality among the Women’s Health residents and faculty. Furthermore, there are additional mentoring opportunities through interdisciplinary rotations where residents meet and interact with faculty from a wide06/06/2008an annual 3 day national conference on Women’s Health is sponsored by the VCU 06/06/2008ed by Dr. Wendy Klein, founder of the VCU Women’s Health track. Women’s Health residents are provided scholarships to attend the conference, where they learn from experts in Women’s Health from across the country.
Do women’s health residents perform colposcopy, endometrial biopsies, or obstetrics?
While residents in the track acquire a thorough understanding of these procedures and may elect experience in this area, most do not go on to perform these procedures on their own. The reasoning is that OB/Gyns are trained to handle the complications of these procedures, while our residents are not prepared to manage unforeseen outcomes. In addition, to become expert in these procedures requires extensive training and time commitments that are not usually feasible.
