Curriculum Overview
3+1 Resident Block Schedule (AIRE Study)
The Pediatrics Residency Program at UTCOM-Chattanooga transitioned to an X+Y (3+1) immersion schedule on July 2019. In this format, each resident spends three weeks on a core or block rotation followed by one week of ambulatory pediatrics. This scheduling format is part of a pilot project (called AIRE) approved by the ACGME Pediatric Residency Review Committee. The goal of this scheduling format is:
- Improved continuity in pediatric resident clinics
- Less conflict between inpatient and ambulatory responsibilities
- Improvement in resident wellness, leading to less burnout
- Improved patient and resident satisfaction
Sample Block Rotation (in weeks)

PGY-1 | PGY-2 | PGY-3 | |
---|---|---|---|
Hospital Medicine | 12 | 7 | 9 |
NICU | 3 | 3 | 0 |
Emergency Medicine | 3 | 3 | 3 |
Community Rotation | 3 | 0 | 0 |
Ambulatory | 10 | 10 | 10 |
Night Float | 3 | 3 | 6 |
Newborn Nursery | 3 | 0 | 3 |
Developmental/Behavior | 0 | 3 | 0 |
Psychology | 0 | 2 | 0 |
Vacation | 3 | 3 | 3 |
PICU | 0 | 9 | 0 |
Heme/Onc | 3 | 0 | 3 |
Adolescent | 0 | 3 | 0 |
Elective Rotation | 9 | 6 | 15 |
Ambulatory/ Continuity Clinic
Sample Ambulatory Week
Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday | |
Morning | Continuity Clinic | Acute Care Clinic | Continuity Clinic | Acute Care Clinic | Acute Care Clinic/ Multidisciplinary Clinics |
Afternoon | Continuity Clinic | Acute Care Clinic | Continuity Clinic | Independent Study |
Didactic Lecture |
Intern Bootcamp
One unique aspect of the 3+1 schedule at UTCOM is the inclusion of an initial four-week bootcamp month. New interns spend one week in each of the key areas of the hospital: inpatient wards, night float, newborn nursery and ambulatory clinic, allowing interns to understand the workings of the entire system beginning with the first month of their residency. *In the color graphic above, the weeks of bootcamp are counted as part of the clinical rotations, rather than their own bootcamp rotation.
Didactic Teachings
Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday | |
Morning | Morning Report | Board Review or Ambulatory Lecture |
Grand Rounds | Morning Report | |
Afternoon |
Didactic Lecture |