Preliminary Program

Preliminary Program

Preliminary interns complete the following rotations, structured on the same “4+2” schedule as categorical interns. There is no continuity clinic for preliminary interns, but preliminary interns attend a variety of medical specialty clinics as well as our urgent care setting at the Durham VA Medical Center. 

  • General medicine wards – three rotations, including time at Duke University Hospital, the Durham VA and Duke Regional Hospital 

  • Ambulatory medicine – 4+2 block schedule, including specialty and urgent care clinics  

  • Subspecialty inpatient wards – four rotations, including Cardiology, Neurology, and Malignant Hematology 

  • Intensive care unit – one rotation 

  • Emergency Department (Duke University Hospital) – one rotation  

The vacation schedule is like that for all other residents, with three weeks throughout the year and an added week either at Christmas or New Year's.