University of Virginia Health System

The primary aim of the Department of Medicine's research curriculum for traditional categorical and primary care track residents is to promote a meaningful, longitudinal research experience. Central to achieving this goal is a commitment to integrating research opportunities and curricula throughout the three-year residency.

First-year residents are encouraged to consider potential projects and to work toward identifying faculty mentors. Toward this end, a list is maintained in the Chief Residents' Office of potential clinical research projects and ideas submitted by faculty in each division of the department. Ideally, residents will discover areas of clinical interest while working on the wards and in ambulatory clinics, and then use the database to aid in identification of potential faculty mentors and development of research projects.

By December 1 of the second year, residents will need to submit a formal research proposal. Formal review of the proposal and subsequent recommendations will then be communicated to the resident by faculty mentors prior to the data collection phase of the projec. The entire experience should culminate with formal presentation and, where possible, publication. All residents should, at minimum, plan to present their results as third-year residents at the Annual Medicine Research Day held in May.