The Preliminary Internal Medicine Program provides one year of introductory training in general internal medicine. The educational goals and objectives of this one-year clinical training in internal medicine are the same as those for the Categorical Program. Our prelim interns acquire a breadth of general internal medicine knowledge and expertise in managing patients with internal medical problems.
If you're looking for a "take it easy" intern year, GW is not for you; our goal is by the end of prelim year, we should trust you to become a PGY2 in our program! In fact, we take pride in our patients, faculty, and staff confusing our prelim interns for categoricals!
What’s the difference between a categorical, a preliminary and a primary care intern?
- Differences in types and locations of inpatient rotations NONE, see "Schedule" tab for a breakdown of a typical schedule
- Continuity clinic expectations Preliminary interns do not have continuity clinic (since they can't provide "continuity!")
- Other differences? Preliminary interns get at least eight weeks of elective. In response to prior prelim feedback, elective weeks are spread out throughout the year similar to the way +1 weeks are.
- Differences in "perks" NONE
- Differences in educational expectations- e.g. noon conference attendance NONE
- Vacation amount and timing NONE
- Differences in ability to do a dedicated research elective NONE
- Preliminary interns can take the same unique electives too: health policy, international health, ABC News elective, Evidence-Based Medicine, etc
- In other words, if you are a preliminary intern, you are a GW intern, with all the rights and privileges that are bestowed on all interns!
Please see our Categorical Residency Program page for more details!