Rotations

The purpose of electives in our residency program is to allow individual residents opportunities to explore a clinical field that is not a required aspect of the curriculum. The American Board of Pediatrics (ABP) requires that time in residency is clinical training. Therefore, electives must have a clinical component to meet the ABP requirements. 

In order to optimize a resident’s experience during an elective period, it is important that electives be chosen well in advance of starting the elective so that the sponsoring faculty members or Divisions are prepared to integrate the resident into the clinical service and plan the individual’s experience.

Another important consideration is the auditing of resident rotations for Graduate Medical Education (GME) funding. In the past, children’s hospitals have not received significant GME funding for residency training. With new legislation and funding of GME, we are required to monitor and record resident rotations since funding is dependent on providing information about rotation schedules for each resident in the program.

Therefore, in order to meet the ABP requirements, to optimize the elective experience and to meet GME audit requirements, it is necessary that we have a formal elective policy and that all residents comply.

Elective Policies

• Residents must indicate their electives before the start of each residency year 
• We recognize that your elective preferences may occasionally change during the year and you will be able to change electives 8 weeks prior to the start of your scheduled elective block. You will be responsible for completing an "Elective Change Request Form", and it needs to be approved by the Chief Residents and your advising Associate Program Director.
• Seniors will be given first priority in the initial scheduling process as it is their final opportunity to partake in a particular elective. However, if a senior changes their selection later in the year, a previously scheduled junior will not be displaced to accommodate the senior.
• Requests for custom electives, research electives and away electives are subject to an approval process. You MUST complete the proposal forms after your elective schedule is finalized (you will receive an email with all associated links). Revisions may be made to your proposal later, but these must be formally approved at least 60 days PRIOR to the start of your rotation. Timely submission of your proposal is REQUIRED in order to receive credit/pay for the elective.
• Electives outside of this institution (including international electives) require a separate approval process and additional time and planning. The Program Director and Ann Dohn (DIO) must approve off-site electives and ensure that residents have malpractice coverage. This process requires at least 2-3 months of planning.  If you are planning on participating in an away elective please meet with Michelle Brooks after you receive your final elective schedules.  Please see the specific Away Elective Policy for additional details.