Didactic Curriculum

Table of Contents

► Introduction to the Emergency Medicine Residency Program Curriculum

► Core Conference

► Interactive Learning Approaches

► Simulation

► Longitudinal Themes

► Scholarship of Teaching and Learning (SoTL)

► QIPS Breakfast Sessions

► Journal Club

► Faculty Leadership and Collaborative Learning

► Protected Academic Time

► Curriculum Development and Leadership

Introduction to the Emergency Medicine Residency Program Curriculum

Welcome to the BayCare Health System Emergency Medicine Residency Program! Our dynamic and comprehensive curriculum spans 18 months, repeating twice over the three-year training period, and covers the breadth of the Model of Clinical Practice of Emergency Medicine. This curriculum is designed to ensure our residents are thoroughly prepared for all aspects of emergency medicine through an innovative, interactive, and engaging educational experience.

Core Conference

Our protected weekly academic half-days are the cornerstone of our program, offering four-to-five hours per week of synchronous content and discussions, complemented by interactive individualized instruction to address any curricular gaps. Residents receive the entire academic year's conference schedule in advance, along with reference materials and texts, to promote preparedness, higher-level discussions, and deeper understanding of the material.

Interactive Learning Approaches

Our curriculum leverages active learning principles to foster engagement and retention:

  • Case- and Problem-Based Learning
  • Team-Based Learning
  • Other Flipped Classroom Modalities
  • Simulation
  • Gamification and more…

These methods ensure that residents are not passive recipients but active participants, driving their education and aligning with andragogical principles.

Simulation

Residents participate in monthly simulation days to apply knowledge and skills from core content modules. These sessions provide a high-fidelity strategy to directly apply medical knowledge in clinical scenarios, practicing procedural skills, team management, and caring for highly complex cases in a psychologically (and physically) safe environment.

Longitudinal Themes

The bulk of our didactic curriculum covers core emergency medicine content in modules of varying length, depending on their breadth and importance to the practice of emergency medicine. Our curriculum also includes numerous Longitudinal Curricular Themes (LCTs) that address:

  • Emergency Medical Services
  • Ultrasound
  • Simulation
  • Medical Education
  • Quality Improvement & Patient Safety
  • Population Health
  • Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion
  • Ethics & Professionalism 
  • Transition to Practice
  • Wellness & Resiliency
  • Research & Scholarship
  • Organized Medicine & Advocacy
  • Wealth Management

Scholarship of Teaching and Learning (SoTL)

To enhance knowledge translation and retention, our curriculum incorporates principles from SoTL:

  • Spaced Retrieval

    Regularly revisiting core concepts to strengthen memory and understanding.

    Our curriculum includes time for active retrieval practice within each core content module. Learners face weekly questions on asynchronous content at the start of each academic half-day. Additionally, spaced retrieval is incorporated into our simulation sessions (asynchronous case content) and annual board review module.

  • Interleaving

    Mixing related topics to improve learning and application of knowledge.

    We employ longitudinal curricular themes to promote interleaving practice. Additionally, our monthly simulation sessions utilize varied strategies to cohesively practice medical knowledge, procedural skills, communication, and more.

  • Dual Coding

    Combining verbal, visual, and tactile information to enhance comprehension and recall.

    Our curriculum uses innovative strategies to present content in both synchronous and asynchronous formats across multiple platforms. Learners engage with traditional texts, scholarly articles, FOAMed, and other materials to prepare for learning sessions. In conferences and simulations, we use other verbal, visual, and tactile methods to enhance knowledge translation and retention.

  • Elaboration

    Encouraging residents to explain and describe concepts in their own words to deepen understanding.

    Elaboration is fostered through various educational strategies regularly used in our weekly conferences, including small group facilitated discussions, case- and problem-based learning, team-based learning, simulation, sand more.

  • Concrete Examples

    Using specific examples to illustrate abstract concepts, making them easier to grasp and remember.

    We frequently utilize case-based learning in weekly conferences and simulation settings. These sessions present realistic cases, allowing learners to integrate knowledge and apply skills in a safe environment, closely mirroring real clinical practice.

QIPS Breakfast Sessions

As part of our commitment to quality improvement and patient safety, we host monthly QIPS Breakfast sessions on the first Thursday of each month. These one-hour sessions align with our Longitudinal Curricular Theme (LCTs) on Quality Improvement and Patient Safety, providing a dedicated space for residents to engage in critical discussions and collaborative efforts.

On odd months, we focus on Quality Improvement Project Workgroups, where residents have the opportunity to brainstorm, collaborate, and gain shareholder buy-in for their QI projects. These workgroups foster innovation and teamwork, encouraging residents to develop and refine projects that can have a meaningful impact on patient care.

On even months, we conduct Patient Safety Conferences (formerly known as Morbidity & Mortality conferences). During these sessions, residents participate in Root Cause Analyses (RCAs) and contribute to discussions aimed at improving future systems of quality. By reflecting on real cases and experiences, these conferences provide invaluable lessons in patient safety and promote a culture of continuous improvement within our residency program.

Journal Club

Monthly Journal Club sessions provide an informal setting for critical discussion of medical literature, often in collaboration with other programs. While Journal Clubs are facilitated by core faculty members with expertise in the field, residents are empowered to critically appraise the literature and present to their peers, creating a foundation for life-long learning and contributing to the development of the Master Adaptive Learner we seek to develop in our learners.

Faculty Leadership and Collaborative Learning

Our board-certified emergency medicine core faculty lead the majority of didactic sessions, fostering a rich learning environment. We also engage in collaborative learning with other GME programs and interprofessional teams, enhancing the educational experience through diverse perspectives and expertise. Our faculty boast expertise in numerous subspecialty areas and are well-integrated into departmental and system leadership teams.

Protected Academic Time

To ensure full engagement, residents are excused from clinical duties the night before and the morning of our weekly academic half-days. This protected time supports attendance well above the 70% required by the ACGME, reinforcing our commitment to resident education. This time is protected on all emergency medicine blocks as well as the majority of off-service rotations.

Curriculum Development and Leadership

Our program director, and curriculum designed, holds a Master's degree in Medical Education with a focus on Curriculum Development. This expertise ensures our curriculum remains at the forefront of educational innovation, providing residents with a top-tier educational experience.

We are excited to support your journey in emergency medicine by providing a rich and dynamic learning environment. Our curriculum is meticulously designed to prepare you for the myriad challenges and rewards of this vital field. Through interactive learning approaches, advanced simulation training, and innovative educational strategies, you will develop the skills and knowledge necessary for excellence in clinical practice. Our program not only covers core emergency medicine content but also integrates longitudinal themes such as health systems sciences, diversity, equity, and inclusion, and physician wellness, ensuring a well-rounded educational experience.

With the guidance of our experienced faculty and the opportunity to engage in collaborative learning with other GME programs and interprofessional teams, you will be well-equipped to become a leader in emergency medicine. Our commitment to your education is reflected in our protected academic time, advanced training opportunities, and emphasis on the scholarship of teaching and learning, all aimed at enhancing knowledge retention and translation.

We look forward to embarking on this journey with you, confident that our comprehensive and innovative curriculum will provide you with the tools, support, and inspiration needed to thrive in your career and make significant contributions to the field of emergency medicine.