The Preliminary Medicine Program is for residents who require one year of Internal Medicine training in advance of pursuing a residency in another specialty, such as dermatology, neurology or radiology.  This preliminary program provides a special opportunity for residents who have graduated from medical school but remain undecided concerning a career choice and wish to devote their postgraduate training in a primary care area. 

The preliminary year encompasses several educational experiences including inpatient general medicine, intensive care, ambulatory care and electives of the subspecialties of medicine.  The preliminary medicine resident enjoys the same degree of independent function, meaningful patient care responsibility and opportunity to teach and work with medical students as does the categorical resident in internal medicine.  

The schedule is the same as for the PGY-1 categorical year except the preliminary resident does not have a continuity clinic experience.