Learning Activities

To improve resident exposure to a variety of topics in a focused effort, the year is comprised of cycles that last six-weeks. Each cycle focuses on a different area of medicine.

Noon Conferences (12-1 PM)

• Clinical Pathology Conference: Led by a senior resident, this conference provides an in-depth exploration of a patient case, including its pathophysiology, diagnosis, and management. Specialists attend to offer their unique perspectives and insights.
• Morbidity and Mortality Conference: This confidential and supportive space allows a senior resident and core faculty member to present cases for discussion, focusing on opportunities for patient care improvement while emphasizing confidentiality and patient safety.
• Intern-Specific Report: Led by chief residents, this afternoon session focuses on topics and issues pertinent to interns, providing tailored guidance and support.
• Grand Rounds: Offered at both MacNeal and Loyola’s main campus, these rounds provide residents with exposure to a broad range of cases and expert insights.
• Weekly Core Lecture and Small Group Series: These sessions, held early in the academic year, focus on mastering the management of common inpatient conditions through a mix of lectures and small group discussions.

MedTalks (8AM-12 PM)

• Takes place on Wednesdays during electives
• Evidence-based Medicine Sessions – residents learn how to use medical literature and basic biostatistics measures and apply the findings to specific clinical questions and patient care.
• Journal Club – a core faculty member facilitates group discussion and critical appraisal of the selected article. The articles selected feature different methodologies and study types to increase resident comfort with the assessment of a wide body of literature.
• High-value Care Conference – an interactive lecture and small group series focused on teaching the practice of cost-conscious medicine.
• Ambulatory Lectures – residents create a presentation about an ambulatory topic that relates to the cycle theme.

Morbidity & Mortality Conference: Patient Safety Focused

Residents have an in-depth opportunity to evaluate patient and system safety. The resident evaluates a case of medical error or near miss event utilizing tools for root cause analysis and healthcare matrix. The resident will analyze the source of error and present their recommendations during a conference.