Foundations I

About Foundations I | F1 Learning Pathways| F1 Course Schedule

About Foundations I

Foundations of Emergency Medicine (FoEM) creates free, open-access, learner-centric, level-specific residency curricula that have been widely adopted in the United States.  The Foundations I (F1) course is specifically designed for intern-level learners and is intended to provide a framework for understanding cardinal presentations, “can’t miss” diagnoses and essential management strategies within the practice of Emergency Medicine.  The F1 course is divided into 30 systems-based units. Learners are expected to review curated self-study resources prior to each meeting (flipped classroom approach), allowing classroom time to be used for active learning and application of knowledge through small group patient cases.  After each meeting, you can review an Essential Learning summary (aka Teaching Points Handout) +/- paired assessments to help with spaced repetition, application to clinical practice, and EM In-Training Exam (ITE) preparation.  

To optimize your learning, take advantage of the following Foundations I course learner resources:

 

Foundations I Learning Pathways

FoEM Learning Pathways provide high-quality, independent study resources that pair with each F1 course unit.  There are a combination of text-based as well as multimedia-based resources including FOAM (Free Open Access Medical education) blog posts and podcasts, in addition to high-yield summaries of evidence-based practice (EBMedicine).  Choose your pathway based on your preferred method of studying.  Using the listed objectives for each unit, triage your time to focus on common clinical presentations and known gaps in your knowledge.  At a minimum, try to protect 2 hours of study time each weekSpecific Learning Pathway assignments for each unit of F1 unit can be found by system on the FoEM main page.  For more details about specific resources and strategic use, visit our Learning Pathways How-To page.

FoEM Learning Pathway Essentials

  • Use objectives for each unit to guide your preparation
  • Study for at least 2 hours a week
  • Use our vetted and coordinated references, or use your own

 

Foundations I Course Schedule for Learners

Below you will find the core schedule for Foundations I. Keep in mind, your program may be making significant changes from the standard schedule and your local Foundations Course Director will provide you with a detailed schedule for your institution (dates with specific units for your site). Note that the core schedule below includes paired Frameworks and suggested paired assessments (Rosh Review, PEER) for each unit (these may or may not be provided by your program).

FoEM PLAYLIST– Take advantage of our collection of “walk-up songs” that correlate to cases in the FoEM Foundations I (F1) curriculum with the goal of engaging the learner and sparking curiosity for the learning topics.  Review the full list here, access songs through this F1 Playlist link, or search for us on Spotify (FoundationsEM).

Block 1

MeetingUnitGeneral TopicsSpecific TopicsPaired FrameworkRosh or PEER Assessment
0OrientationCourse ReviewFoundations Overview, Intro to Oral Boards Cases
1GI IGI Bleeding, Esophageal and Stomach DisordersGI Bleed, Esophageal Do, PUD, PerforationApproach to Nausea and VomitingFOUNDATIONS I (F1) UNIT 01- GI I
2GI IIAcute Abdomen, AnorectalAcute Abdomen, Anorectal DisordersAbdominal ImagingFOUNDATIONS I (F1) UNIT 02- GI II
3GI IIIBiliary, Liver, GI InfectionsDiarrhea, Biliary Disease, Hepatitis, Cirrhosis, PancreatitisApproach to JaundiceFOUNDATIONS I (F1) UNIT 03- GI III
4Pulm INon-infectious Pulmonary DiseaseHemoptysis, PTX, Asthma, COPD, ARDS, PE, CyanosisApproach to HypoxemiaFOUNDATIONS I (F1) UNIT 04- Pulm I
5Pulm IIInfectious Pulmonary DiseasePneumonia, TB, Effusion, Aspiration, Abscess, EmpyemaApproach to Emergent Airway ManagementFOUNDATIONS I (F1) UNIT 05- Pulm II
6Cards IDysrhythmiasDysrhythmias, PacemakersTachyarrhythmia ,
Bradyarrhythmia and
Approach to Cardiac Arrest
FOUNDATIONS I (F1) UNIT 06- Cards I
7Cards IIACS, CHFACS, CHF, CardiomyopathyApproach to CHFFOUNDATIONS I (F1) UNIT 07- Cards II
8Cards IIIValvular disease, CarditisPeri/Myocarditis, Valvular Disease, EndocarditisApproach to Shock
Approach to Syncope
FOUNDATIONS I (F1) UNIT 08- Cards III
9VascularDissection, Aneurysm, DVT & HTNDissection/Aneurysm, DVT, HTNApproach to HTN in the EDFOUNDATIONS I (F1) UNIT 09- Vasc

Block 2

MeetingUnitGeneral TopicsSpecific TopicsPaired FrameworkRosh or PEER Assessment
10Trauma IGeneral Traumatic InjuriesThoracic, Abdominal, Pelvic, Extremities, PedsChest Trauma
Abdominal Trauma
Pelvic Trauma
Vascular Extremity Injury
FOUNDATIONS I (F1) UNIT 10- Trauma I
11Trauma IIGeneral Traumatic InjuriesBrain, Spine, HEENTTraumatic Head BleedFOUNDATIONS I (F1) UNIT 11- Trauma II
12Trauma IIISpecialized Traumatic InjuriesPenetrating, Blast, Electrical, Burns, PregnancyApproach to Burns (FW 9/15)FOUNDATIONS I (F1) UNIT 12- Trauma III
13Peds IPediatric Resuscitation, Neonatal EmergenciesPeds Resus, Neonatal Disorders, Congenital Heart DiseaseApproach to the Sick NeonateFOUNDATIONS I (F1) UNIT 13- Peds I
14Peds IIPediatric Pulm, Pediatric InfectionsPeds Airway, Peds Infections, Acute Airway ObstructionApproach to the Febrile NeonateFOUNDATIONS I (F1) UNIT 14- Peds II
15Peds IIIOther Pediatric Emergencies, Child AbusePeds Seizure, Shunts, GI/GU, Child AbuseApproach to Pediatric Abdominal PainFOUNDATIONS I (F1) UNIT 15- Peds III
16HEENTEye, Ear, Nose & Throat EmergenciesEar Infection, Hearing Loss, Eye Infections, Eye Inflammation, Eye Pain, Vision Loss, Eye Meds, ENT InfectionsApproach to Vision LossFOUNDATIONS I (F1) UNIT 16- HEENT

Block 3

MeetingUnitGeneral TopicsSpecific TopicsPaired FrameworkRosh or PEER Assessment
17IDInfectious EmergenciesSepsis, Tetanus, Malaria, Rabies, Zoonotic Infection, Warfare Agents, Legionella, AIDSApproach to Fever in the HIV PatientFOUNDATIONS I (F1) UNIT 17- ID
18Neuro ISeizure, Coma, AMS, Vertigo, Headache, MeningitisStroke, Seizure, Coma, AMS, Vertigo, Headache, MeningitisApproach to AMS

Approach to Vertigo
FOUNDATIONS I (F1) UNIT 18- Neuro I
19Neuro II/MSKStroke, Neuromuscular, Neuropathy, Spinal CordArthritis, Tendonitis, Back Pain, MSK Infections, Compartment Syndrome, Neuromuscular, Neuropathy, Spinal CordApproach to Stroke Approach to WeaknessFOUNDATIONS I (F1) UNIT 19- Neuro II
20OrthoTraumatic Orthopedic InjuriesUpper Ext, Pelvis, Hip, Knee, Lower Leg, Ankle, Foot FOUNDATIONS I (F1) UNIT 20- Ortho
21Tox IToxidromes and Poisoning ITox Eval, TCA, Li, Sedatives, Phenothiazines, Phenytoin, Opioids, Clonidine, Alcohols, Cocaine, Amphetamine, Hallucinogens, ASAApproach to the Poisoned Patient/Toxicologic ResuscitationFOUNDATIONS I (F1) UNIT 21- Tox I
22Tox IIToxidromes and Poisoning IIAPAP, Fe, HC, Caustics, OP, Mushrooms, CN, Dig, BB, CCB, CO, Mercury, SulfonylureaApproach to ToxidromesFOUNDATIONS I (F1) UNIT 22- Tox II
23EnvironmentalEnvironmental ExposuresHeat/Cold Exposure, Bites/Stings, Altitude Sickness, Submersion, RadiationApproach to Hypothermic ResuscitationFOUNDATIONS I (F1) UNIT 23- Enviro

Block 4

MeetingUnitGeneral TopicsSpecific TopicsPaired FrameworkRosh or PEER Assessment
24Renal / GURenal and Male Gentiourinary DisordersAKI, CRF, HD Complications, Renal Transplant, UTI, Kidney Stones, Penile/Urethral DisordersApproach to Testicular PainFOUNDATIONS I (F1) UNIT 24- Renal/GU
25GYNOvarian and Uterine Disease, Gyn InfectionSTIs, ID, Ovarian Disease, Vaginal Bleeding, Sexual AssaultApproach to Female Pelvic PainFOUNDATIONS I (F1) UNIT 25- Gyn
26OBPregnancy EmergenciesPregnancy Complications- Medical, Surgical, Complicated DeliveriesApproach to Vaginal BleedingFOUNDATIONS I (F1) UNIT 26- OB
27Endo / MetabolicEndocrine, Metabolic and Nutritional DisordersFluids and Electrolytes, Acid-Base Disorders, Hypo/Hyperglycemia, Hypo/Hyperthyroid, Adrenal Insufficiency/Crisis Approach to Hyperglycemia and InsulinFOUNDATIONS I (F1) UNIT 27- Endo/Met
28Heme / OncHematologic Emergencies, Emergent Complications of MalignancyBleeding Disorders, Sickle Cell, Anemia, Transfusions, Anticoagulation Reversal, Malignant Obstruction and Effusions, Hypercalcemia, SIADH, Tumor Lysis, Hyperviscosity, Adrenal Insufficiency, ImmunosuppressionApproach to Sickle Cell CrisisFOUNDATIONS I (F1) UNIT 28- Heme/Onc
29PsychPsychiatric EmergenciesAgitation, Psychosis, Depression/SI, Bipolar, Anxiety/Panic, Somatoform, Eating Disorders, Intoxication/Withdrawl, Delirium/DementiaApproach to the Agitated PatientFOUNDATIONS I (F1) UNIT 29- Psych
30Rheum / Immuno / DermImmune System Disorders, Skin EmergenciesRaynaud, Reiter, Scleroderma, SLE, Allergic Reactions, Drug Reactions, Dermatitis, Skin Infections, Drug RashApproach to the Undifferentiated RashFOUNDATIONS I (F1) UNIT 30- Immuno/Derm