Resident Research Training

1. Residents will be able to identify and write a hypothesis, design a research project/plan, consider statistical power during development of a research plan, and define the significance and impact of the work. 
2. Residents will develop a short grant-like proposal for the research project. 
3. Residents will present research project progress. 
4. Residents will develop skills on how to draft an abstract or a publication. 

A Resident Research Committee (RRC) has a core mission to 1) facilitate advancing residents’ knowledge and practice of the scholarly approach to evidence-based patient care through formal resident research program in alignment with the ACGME Core competencies, 2) educate both mentors and mentees on scientific inquiry and methodology, 3) provide feedback as well as enable progress and completion of proposed resident research projects within the facilities and operations of the department, 4) distribute funds designated upon completion of the resident research proposal requirements in the first year, and 5) provide oversight for protected time for the resident research rotation.

Membership of the RRC consists of the Residency program leadership representative (Program Director or Associate Program Director), the Residency Program Coordinator, and two administrators for research and education. Membership also consists of at least one basic science faculty representative and one clinical science faculty representative as members. RRC meetings are scheduled monthly to provide contiguous discussion around the progress of residents.

As part of our PGY1 resident research orientation experience, Grand Rounds showcases research interests of our faculty in short 5-minute presentations at the beginning of the academic year, and if possible, potential projects for our residents.  Afterwards, the PGY-1 residents meet with the RRC to go over the requirements of the program and our department’s resources including access to key collaborators including our biostatistician, clinical trial unit, retinal image reading lab, research laboratories, and research administrators. A listing of potential research projects including but not limited to those featured at the Grand Rounds during the PGY-1 orientation is collected and provided to PGY-1 residents in the fall.

Residents are required to seek out a research mentor and select a project that meets their particular interest by January 15 of their PGY-1. A resident may select from a provided project list or if a resident has a specific topic not included in the list of potential projects, then they are also encouraged to develop the project with a mentor that shares their interest.

Once RRC approves all mentors, a rubric to provide guidance to mentors and mentees to ensure successful completion of the program (Appendix A) is distributed to PGY-1 residents and their mentors prior to residents and their mentors starting their work on a selected project. Residents work closely with their chosen mentor and are expected to develop a proposal by April 1 and present to RRC for feedback and approval. A template provided guides the proposal. (Appendix B). Resident research milestones in PGY-1 developed by RRC must be completed in order for advancement. These milestones include:

• Resident and mentor work together to provide a short grant-like proposal of the research project to RRC by April 1st.
• The resident and mentor meet with RRC to present the proposal. This meeting ensures the feasibility and timeliness of the proposed project.
• All online compliance training recommended by RRC must be completed by the end of PGY-1.

To encourage completion, a $2,000 research project stipend was established that is available from the department direct project-related costs. In addition, residents are encouraged to apply for a travel stipend also available through the department for regional, national, and international conferences to present their projects. Additional funding may also be available; however, this must be justified and requires both the RRC and department approval. To obtain the one-time allotted research project stipend amount, certain milestones, that are noted above, need to be achieved.

Research projects may begin once the RRC approves a proposal.

Uninterrupted protected time for research projects includes a continuous 10 half days in PGY-2, 36 half days each in PGY-3, and 4 half days in PGY-4 (Appendix C). Yearly progress reports provide status updates for the project using the original research proposal template. A brief annual progress report presentation by each resident, with their mentor present, is also required to ensure research requirements are being fulfilled. Research mentors are expected to track resident progress. Annual updates and evaluations are submitted to the RRC and become part of the residency file. Prior to graduation, the RRC confirms that the resident has fulfilled the research requirement and can recommend remediation if needed.

A complete timeline of course requirements is provided in Course Schedule/Calendar.

• Research Fundamentals for Ophthalmology Residents and Clinical Fellows Toolkit 

• Faculty Research Training Toolkit 

• Rubric (Appendix A) 

• Resident Research Project Template (Appendix B) 

• Block Schedule (Appendix C – review in progress) 

• List of potential projects (as provided by each institution) 

• Video materials (review in progress) 

The outline of expectations and protected research time in each year of residency is presented during orientation and can be found in the Resident Handbook to align expectations from the time of entry into the program. 

• Participation and completion of research metrics/requirements outlined under Course Schedule/Calendar is required.
• ACGME Program Requirements for Graduate Medical Education in Ophthalmology
• GME Policy 43.21: Evaluation and Promotion of Residents and Fellows