Longitudinal curriculum

Learn about our inpatient and OB experiences

Resident curriculum leads

Elizabeth Conley, MD
elizabeth.a.conley@kp.org

Shana Kim, MD
shana.m.kim@kp.org

The Kaiser Permanente Family Medicine Residency is a pioneer in the implementation of Clinic First residency training. Our model of training is designed to prepare graduates to design and work in the health care settings of the future. Our curriculum is a longitudinal integrated design in which residents practice full-spectrum family medicine at a regular pace for three years. As a result, our graduates are prepared to transform primary care in the communities they join following their training.

Training at Kaiser Permanente differs from the traditional "block" model employed at many residency programs. Instead of focusing exclusively on one service or specialty each month, our trainees care for a panel of 400 patients for 3 years, provide inpatient OB, IM, and pediatric care, treat urgently sick patients, care for a geriatric panel, and participate in rotating sets of specialty experiences at a regular pace throughout their three years of training.

Resident-driven learning is emphasized with training tailored around the resident's professional interests. Resident’s elective experiences are regularly paced throughout the three years and are focused on their personal areas of interest. Curriculum revisions and updates are centered around resident feedback with resident curriculum chiefs leading this effort.

Kaiser Permanente and Swedish Hospital share facilities in Seattle. Residents' inpatient medicine and obstetrical experiences take place with Kaiser Permanente Washington providers and patients, but are located at Swedish Medical Center.

Didactics and conferences

The didactic curriculum is an 18-month rotation of weekly topics presented in a variety of formats. We emphasize case-based discussion, interactive presentations, and resident-led education. One afternoon a month, the Teaching Interdisciplinary Clinic sessions focus on incorporation of evidence-based guidelines and point-of-care tools in providing care for patients with a chronic disease, with time set aside for each resident to review his or her own patients and provide outreach as indicated. The residency also supports reflection time for residents, and this includes Balint sessions as a group, as well as separate class check-in time.