Qualified and interested residents should be encouraged to participate in
research projects. While research during residency should not be an academic
requirement, personal involvement with a research project at this stage of
career development clearly has educational value. Designing a project,
collecting and analyzing data and presenting conclusions professionally to
one's peers allow the resident to appreciate the practical aspects of carrying
a project to completion. Such experiences should be useful to residents
throughout their careers.

Motivation to engage in a resident research project may come from several
sources.

A resident may simply want limited exposure to research in order better to
understand the research process or to increase communication skills. Some
residents may welcome the opportunity to work with a specific faculty member
or in an area of personal interest. A few residents may wish to pursue career
development in basic research or as a clinician investigator. Because of this
variety in interests, research opportunities are tailored within the individual
resident's program. In the first three years, research experience can be
arranged contingent on the resident's other responsibilities, academic standing
and research interests. Credit for such experiences may be awarded if
arranged in advance with the Residency Director. Such exposure can gradually
build skills and expertise which can then be applied in the fourth year,
in which a resident-designed research project can constitute a major portion
of the training experience.

Contact Vivian Smith for more information
Telephone: 217-545-7627