The Internal Medicine Spokane Ambulatory Clinic is located within walking distance of both Sacred Heart Medical Center and Deaconess Medical Center. The Internal Medicine and Family Medicine Residency training programs share not only the physical space in this outpatient clinic, but also some clinic staff. The nurses in our clinic are all registered nurses. In addition our clinic boasts a full-time, licensed social worker to help find resources for our patients. Patients are drawn from many sources including house staff services and emergency room referrals.
Residents follow their own patients longitudinally during the course of their training.
Ambulatory blocks in all the years supplement the outpatient experience. Residents learn to prioritize the evaluation and management of problems, to utilize preventative medicine techniques, to educate patients and to manage time efficiently. The faculty preceptor has no responsibility other than to teach residents. A typical clinic day begins with an interactive didactic discussion on specific topics in primary care. Residents and faculty take turns leading the discussions.