Research Activities
Resident participation in clinical or basic science research is required, with all residents expected to submit at least one research project for presentation at a national meeting and to have prepared one manuscript for publication (at some time during their residency).
Support by the Program Director and Associate Program Director
Residents are generally discouraged from participating in research during the first year of residency. At this stage of their careers they are encouraged to read and learn about clinical radiology. Additionally, many residents have recently moved to the area and it is our feeling that some time is required before the residents and their families have fully adjusted to living in Ann Arbor. The Program Director or Associate Program Director meets with all residents at the end of their first year and strongly encourages each of them to become involved in a research project. Residents may wish to find faculty members with whom to collaborate on their own. They work closely with a large number of faculty members who are actively involved in many different research projects, ranging from basic science to clinical studies, all of whom are very enthusiastic about the opportunity to collaborate with residents. However, should a resident be uncertain about how to begin their research activity, the Program Director and/or Associate Program Director will assist them in finding a research mentor.
Instruction
Research conferences (previously described) serve to teach residents the basic principles of research design and of data analysis, as well as to introduce residents to the individual clinical and basic science researchers throughout the department.
Research Time
Residents may spend up to a full year performing basic science or clinical research, as long as strong evidence is provided to the program director justifying such an assignment. Most residents pursuing this course will require external grant funding to support their extensive research time. Three residents in the past few years have pursued research over 6-12 months of their residency. Two of these residents were MD-PhDs and all were grant funded.
The majority of residents prefer to focus on clinical training and participate in largely clinical research projects with faculty mentors. All residents are scheduled one week of clinical research in the second year. For those highly motivated to do research, more elective weeks are available in the third and fourth years of residency.
Information and Imaging Retrieval Support
The Radiology Department provides extensive support for resident research activities. The department’s computer group provides database searches of years of radiologic reports. The hospital wide CareWeb information system allows for direct access to medical records from any computer in the hospital. Clinical cases’ images can be easily accessed via the radiology information system, or retrieved from the file room or the PACS system.
Financial Support
The Department of Radiology has seed grant money available to encourage preliminary research projects. The Radiology Department enthusiastically covers incurred travel expenses (up to $1,500) for residents who present their research at national or international meetings. Any money remaining after travel expenses are paid is added to the resident’s individual book fund.
Personnel Support
The department includes a basic science division whose faculty members are available for consultation and whose equipment is available for shared use. Many additional research facilities are available throughout the Medical School and University. The department employs a number of research assistants who can help with paperwork and other tasks. The department has its own media services, with individuals in these areas available to facilitate resident preparation of electronic presentations and hard copy manuscripts. One of the department secretaries is specifically assigned to assist the residents in their research endeavors.
Literature Support
Most research of the medical literature is now performed electronically. However, textbooks, CDs, and DVDs for clinical learning, as well as for gaining background knowledge for a research project, remain popular. These materials are available in the resident library administered by the program coordinator and can only be signed out by residents and CAQ fellows. Included are many up to date favorite titles, preferred by residents and selected by residents. New materials are added regularly and the library is very well used by residents.
For primary literature searches, the Taubman Medical Library (UM Medical School) resources are largely available online, and the library is physically located a few blocks away from the University Hospital. The Taubman Library has on-line full text access to most major medical journals and has one of the most extensive/comprehensive collections of medical textbooks and literature in the country.
General Competencies
The residency training program has implemented a system by which residents are taught and evaluated in each of the six general competencies (many of which involve non-interpretive skills). ACGME requirements are such that instruction and evaluation must be formalized into the six general competencies. It has long been our belief that the overall mission of our radiology residency training program is to produce radiologists who are knowledgeable and compassionate care givers, who can communicate articulately and enthusiastically to patients and other health care workers, who are professional in demeanor at all times, who have developed the tools to keep learning and growing throughout their careers, who understand their role and who are enthusiastic participants in the health care system. Resident instruction in these areas of medical knowledge, patient care, interpersonal skills, professionalism, practice-based learning, and systems-based practice is an integral part of the radiology curriculum.
