Each resident is assigned to the clinic corresponding to their team. Many patients are seen by a resident in the hospital and subsequently followed by the same resident (at that team’s clinic) after
discharge. This allows for a smooth transition of care. These patients belong to the residents and are followed by a single resident primary care provider throughout their training at UTMB.
In the continuity care clinics, categorical residents will
see an average of 5-6 patients per half-day clinic, and interns will see an average of 3-4 patients per half-day clinic. The house staff are also supported in the clinic by general medicine faculty, registered nurses, social workers, and health care
technicians (phlebotomists, medical assistants). The clinic is preceded by a 30-minute clinic conference dedicated to the practice of outpatient medicine.
The continuity clinics are held in three locations: The Primary Care Pavilion, located across the street from Jennie Sealy Hospital, Victory Lakes Multispecialty Center in League City, and Coastal Health and Wellness, located on Galveston Island. Patients
with diverse backgrounds are present at each site, giving residents a robust outpatient training experience.
At every site, all patient rooms are equipped with necessary medical equipment and individual computer stations. We also have large team rooms at all of the clinic sites that function as a work-space for residents to use while awaiting the arrival of
their patients, discussing cases with faculty preceptors, placing orders, or completing any necessary documentation. The Coastal Health and Wellness clinic is a Federally Qualified Health Center and serves as a safety net clinic serving the underserved population of Galveston County.
Each year, residents spend one month on a clinic-selective rotation. During this month, residents experience an extended continuity clinic with half-days in their team’s clinic. This allows them to become familiar with the flow of the clinic and
enhance their outpatient Internal Medicine experience. PGY 1 residents on their clinic month will also complete additional didactic and clinical experiences in addiction medicine.