Teaching Resident Rotation

In the University of Iowa Internal Medicine Residency Program, becoming a skilled educator is regarded as crucial to developing a skilled physician. One way the residency program supports this development is through the Teaching Resident Rotation, in which primarily third-year residents spend time on the wards and in classrooms educating medical students on what they have learned in residency.

“The rotation provides an opportunity for residents to have dedicated time to focus on teaching. Residents teach both core and advanced medical students rotating through Internal Medicine in a variety of venues, including classroom lectures, small group discussions, and simulation sessions,” Co-Director of the Internal Medicine Clerkship and Nephrologist, M. Lee Sanders, MD, PhD, said. “Students evaluate each teaching resident on their skills as an educator at the end of their time together.”

As the second tier in the UI Internal Medicine Residency learner’s pyramid (pictured, above), the four-week teaching rotation is a practical rotation, available to a limited number of residents after completing the teaching skills module, which conveys to residents how to teach.

Each rotation, an educator is selected based on their own interest in education, and in consideration of their past efficacy in medical student teaching. Sanders meets with each teaching resident during their orientation and acts as an advisor throughout their time on the non-clinical rotation.

Sanders said he offers two essential “pearls” of advice to the teaching resident before they begin their rotation. “Be prepared and make sure you manage your time,” he said, “but also be proactive in getting involvement, because if you get learner involvement, then they’re much more engaged and it’s going to be a much better session.”

Feedback is provided to each teaching resident via written evaluations from the students they taught, as well as through direct observation by a faculty mentor. Some of that feedback has been gathered in this series of posts.

Sanders himself has received feedback on his direction of this initiative. Vice Chair for Education and Residency Program Director Manish Suneja, MD, wrote:

I am immensely proud of the strides we’ve made in cultivating not only skilled physicians but also adept educators. Dr. Sanders has truly spearheaded an initiative that not only enriches our residency program  but also underscores our commitment to medical student education. The Teaching Resident Rotation stands as a testament to our dedication to nurturing the next generation of physicians who are not only proficient in clinical practice but also adept at imparting their knowledge effectively. Dr. Sanders’ leadership in establishing this rotation is commendable; it provides our residents with a dedicated platform to refine their teaching skills, a facet that is indispensable in the realm of medical education.

For those interested in making education a larger part of their career, the unique-to-Iowa Distinction in Medical Education (DIME) pathway was recently introduced in the residency program. Beyond that, residents have the opportunity to complete coursework in the Master of Medical Education (MME) program, as well as pursuing a teaching certificate. Not only will this coursework contribute to the MME, but the residency program will cover the cost of these classes while the learner is a resident.