Total Health Curriculum

The Total Health Curriculum is built on the science of learning and uses an evidence-based approach to train skilled, compassionate physicians who provide individualized care of patients and promote health in the communities they serve. In addition to providing a fully integrated and immersive educational experience in basic, clinical and health systems sciences, the curriculum emphasizes six longitudinal themes that compose the Systems, Society and Humanism in Medicine (SSHM) core: Community Immersion and Population Health, Health System Citizenship, Personal and Professional Development, Primary Care, Social Justice and Health Equity.

We envision our Total Health Curriculum as a tree, like the tree of knowledge that forms our seal. The roots correspond to Phase 1 – Principles of Science and Practice, which encompasses foundational education rooted in basic, clinical and health system sciences. The trunk epitomizes Phase 2 – Core Clinical Immersion. With roots firmly planted, you will build a solid body of clinical experiences that begins early and grows in complexity and meaning. The trunk provides firm support for the branches, which represent Phase 3 –Career Differentiation and Exploration. During this phase, you will progress in the development of advanced clinical skills and training that suits your individual interests and career goals.

Phase 1 Principles of Medical Science and Practice

Phase 1 includes three semesters. The curriculum is organized into integrated, system-based blocks and features learning through the Clinical Presentation Model and other active learning formats.

Phase 2Core Clinical Immersion

Phase 2 contains a four-week Transition to Clerkship course, five nine-week clerkship blocks (Ambulatory, Neurosciences, Women’s and Children, Surgery and Medicine) inclusive of bridge weeks. Bridge weeks are periods between clerkship blocks during which you’ll complete assignments, take national board subject examinations and receive orientation for the next clerkship experience. They also allow you to explore subspecialty areas of interest, conduct research, follow up on continuity patients and/or meet with mentors and advisors. Phase 2 ends with a two-week Transition to Phase 3 course. Additional features of the Phase 2 curriculum include longitudinal requirements in the disciplines of Radiology and Pathology/Diagnostic Medicine and a Career Pathways Program.

At a glance: Phase 2

Transition to Clerkships

Hones clinical skills and provides necessary clerkship overviews and trainings in preparation to enter clinical learning environment full-time. Regional orientation sessions also included.

Ambulatory

Outpatient experience inclusive of Family Medicine, Geriatrics, Pediatrics and Musculoskeletal Medicine.

Medicine

Inpatient and outpatient experience with exposure to general medicine and medicine subspecialty fields.

Women’s and Children’s

Inpatient Pediatrics, newborn nursery and pediatric subspecialty areas combined with Obstetrics/Gynecology (OB/GYN) curricular experiences including labor and delivery, gynecologic surgery and outpatient OB/GYN clinic.

Neurosciences

Combined clinical experience inclusive of inpatient and outpatient Neurology and Psychiatry services.

Surgery

Core General Surgery rotations with intentional exposure to subspecialty surgical fields.

Transition to Phase 3

Transitional curriculum that allows you to reflect on your clerkship year experiences and provides enhanced skill development to prepare you for the advanced clinical requirements in the Phase 3 year.

*Length of curriculum blocks is based on Medical Curriculum Committee review each year.

Phase 3 Career Differentiation and Exploration

Phase 3 includes required core clinical rotations, expanded elective exploration opportunities and a formal Transition to Residency course.

At a glance: Phase 3 - Requirements for advanced clinical experiences*

Required rotations

Advanced clinical experiences including Medicine subinternship, Critical Care Medicine selective, Emergency Medicine and Health Systems Interprofessional Sciences selective, as well as a Preparation for Licensure course.

Elective opportunities

Elective opportunities to enhance your learning and expand knowledge in specialty areas, research, medical humanities and teaching.

Transition to residency

You’ll participate in a variety of in-person and virtual sessions that will prepare you for transition into the graduate medical education phase of your training.

*Length of curriculum blocks is based on Medical Curriculum Committee review each year.

Take a deeper dive into our curriculum by visiting: go.geisinger.edu/gcsomcurriculum