Frequently Asked Questions | Advocate Health Care

1. Is the program a University Program?
Yes. It is a University of Illinois at Chicago program based at Christ Medical Center. Residents have the opportunity to teach medical students and interact with fellows from the University of Illinois, as well as from Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science/The Chicago Medical School and Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine.

2. Does this mean I will do rotations at the University of Illinois?
The program is based at Christ Medical Center and the majority of the rotations are done at Christ Medical Center. Currently, two subspecialty rotations, Geriatrics and General Medicine Consults are conducted at the University of Illinois. Residents can also do selected subspecialty and research rotations at the University of Illinois.

3. What is the call schedule?
The long call schedule is every sixth night. In the MICCU, the entire team stays overnight for every call. On the wards, the PGY-1’s stay overnight for every call, and the senior resident stays until 9:00 p.m. during the week when they are relieved by the Night Float team. On Fridays and Saturdays, the entire team stays overnight. There is a short call and “pick-up” day, also every sixth day.

4. Is there a "cap" on the number of admissions?
A PGY-1 cannot receive more than 5 new patients on his/her long call day, and no more than 2 new patients on a short call day or “pick-up” day.

5. How many patients will I be responsible for?
This number can be quite variable, but on average a PGY-1 is responsible for 6-8 patients. The maximum number of patients that a PGY-1 can be responsible at any given times is 12.

6. How much "scut" work will I have to do?
Because we have ample support services such as phlebotomy, transporters, EKG and radiology technicians, "scut" work should be very minimal.

7. How many days off will I have?
Each housestaff member has a minimum of 4 days off per rotation. Additionally, each resident is entitled to three personal days a year. Residents can also be granted time off for educational activities.

8. How many electives will I have?
During the first year, you will have 2-3 electives. In the second year, you will have 4-5 electives, and in the third year you will have 7-8 electives.

9. Does the program offer any support for educational expenses?
Yes. Christ Medical Center allots up to $3,000 for each PGY-2 and PGY-3 resident for professional and educational expenses. In addition, categorical residents receive either a Cecil’s or Harrison’s Textbook of Medicine in the PGY-1 year and a subscription to the New England Journal of Medicine in the PGY-2 and PGY-3 years. Throughout all three years, categorical residents receive ACP-ASIM membership, which includes a subscription to the Annals of Internal Medicine and ACP Journal Club. The program provides all residents with a subscription to Up-To-Date

10. If I wish, can I do an outside elective?
Yes. Residents may request to do an elective within the University of Illinois system if it fulfills an educational need.

11. What is the patient population?
Since we serve as a referral center as well as provide care for the surrounding community, there is a wide spectrum of patients and diseases. Our patients' medical problems range from more common general medical problems to complex specialty problems.

12. Are all patients "teaching patients"?
Because of the large hospital patient volume, residents do not provide coverage for all the patients. Instead, patients are selected for coverage according to their educational value.

13. How is the teaching organized? What is the conference schedule?
Residents attend teaching rounds, morning report and conferences. Teaching rounds are held 3-5 days per week for 1½ to 2 hours each time. Morning report is held 4 days a week. Grand Rounds is held weekly. Morbidity and Mortality Conference, Core Medicine Lecture Series, Primary Care Conference, Subspecialty Conferences, and Journal Club are incorporated into the daily Noon Conference.

14. How much of my training will be in the ambulatory setting?
Overall, approximately one-third of your time will be in the ambulatory setting. This includes a 3-year continuity experience in the Adult Medicine Center, and additional half-day per week in a private office setting, outpatient rotations, and outpatient experience during specialty rotations. The additional half-day per week clinic as a PGY-2 and PGY-3 can be done with an Internal Medicine subspecialist. There is an ambulatory rotation in which residents focus on Practice Guidelines and Performance Improvement.

15. Will I have an opportunity to do scholarly activity or research?
We recognize the important role of research in the career goals of many of our residents. Advocate Christ Medical Center strongly encourages and supports the research activities of our residents with time and resources. The Office of Clinical Research provides organizational, financial and statistical support for resident research activities. Physicians from a wide variety of subspecialties mentor our residents, and our residents present strongly at local and national conferences. Residents can do a dedicated month of research mentored by a faculty member.

16. Is regular feedback provided to the house staff?
Yes. Each resident is assigned an advisor who meets with the resident quarterly to review his/her performance evaluations. In addition, the service attending each month provides feedback regarding performance to the team members.

17. Is there a formal Board Review Course?
Yes. There is a Board Review series that covers all core Internal Medicine topics that occurs weekly throughout the year.

18. What do the graduates of the program do?
In past years, approximately half the residents entered primary care and the other half pursued fellowship training.

19. Where do the house staff generally live?
Although you may live anywhere in the Chicagoland area, many of our residents find it convenient, safe and affordable to live in the suburb of Oak Lawn. Others live in downtown Chicago and the western suburbs.