As a first year fellow, what is the division of my clinical time?
The first year fellow will spend approximately 33% of time on each of the three services: inpatient diabetes service, inpatient consult service, and the outpatient service. Seeing patients in these various settings provides the opportunity for involvement in the care of many patients with primary endocrine disorders and endocrine complications of other disorders.
What are the inpatient/consult service responsibilities during second and third years of fellowship?
The second and third year fellows are responsible for the inpatient service during "on-call" nights and weekends. The third year fellows complete a 4 week clinical rotation (usually divided into smaller portions such as 1-2 weeks at a time). During this clinical rotation, fellows are encouraged to be the "pre-tendings" and run the service. Upon completion of the 3 year program, fellows are well trained to handle a large variety of clinical situations. In other words, we have not seen issues with fellows having difficulty with the transition from fellow to faculty.
What is the overnight call structure for fellows?
First year fellows generally are responsible for covering 6 weeknights per month; the number of week night calls will be lower during the second and third years. Evening sign-generally occurs at approximately 5:30 p.m. for the hospitalized patients. The CDEs are responsible for outpatient diabetes call until 11:00 p.m. From 11:00 p.m. until morning, the “on-call” fellow is responsible for all phone calls.
What is the weekend call structure for fellows?
Weekend call generally begins on Friday at 5 p.m. and extends until Monday morning. The “on-call” fellow rounds with the “on-call” faculty member on Saturday and Sunday. In general, first year fellows are responsible for one weekend per month. A diabetes nurse educator takes Saturday morning call. The fellow rounds with the "on-call" faculty attending. Again, fluidity exists in the system with fellows sometimes choosing to divide weekends.
Does the fellowship program have a fellow "pocket guide" or shared list of guidelines for caring for endocrine disorders?
Yes, over the years, fellows have developed a "pocket guide". Resources are also available on our shared computer network. In addition, faculty and senior fellows provide orientation discussions to the "new" fellows. We review common "on-call" scenarios, stimulation tests, hospital orientation. Over the first few months of fellowship, fellows also participate in weekly sessions with the adult endocrinology fellows for an orientation to endocrinology. And, finally, fellows are encouraged and welcomed to discuss patients/disorders with faculty.