Research Curriculum
The UCSF Surgical residency has the goal of developing residents to ask critical questions in areas of interest and to develop the skills needed to pursue answers to these questions. The curriculum begins in the PGY 1 year and spans the PGY 2-3 years and through the research years. Through this curriculum the resident will be able to:
Objectives
- Identify research resources at UCSF
- Have skills in the research process
- Develop successful grant writing skills
- Identify feasible and doable research projects
- Submit a grant
- Conduct research
- Work successfully with a research mentor
- Have financial support during the research years
- Present both in presentation and publication research process and results
- Develop a curriculum vita designed to incorporate all research activities.
To meet these goals the program uses a combination of strategies. The annual Resident Research Day provides a great forum to learn about the diverse opportunities. An editor within the department offers workshops on writing research grants for the residents and provides editorial review. Residency advisors and the Research Committee are both actively involved in overseeing residents' progress in developing research plan, as well as informing residents about opportunities and introducing residents to the faculty who do research and to the experiences of residents in the research years.
The timeline below by PGY year summarizes the structure offered by the department for resident research preparation, as well as oversight responsibilities.
Timeframe | PGY Year | Activity | Description | Oversight |
|---|---|---|---|---|
June | PGY1 | Introduction to research | Research Committee Co-Chairs introduce research objectives and policies In conjunction with program leadership, residency advisors assigned | Research Committee Co-Chairs Program Leadership |
Fall | PGY1 | Follow-up session with Research Committee Co-Chairs | Research Committee Co-Chairs outline detailed research preparation plan | Research Committee Co-Chairs |
Ongoing | PGY1 | Exploration of research interests | Residents meet regularly with residency advisors to explore research interests. Residents get involved in small research projects with the guidance and direction of residency advisor and Research Committee Co-Chairs. | Residency advisor Research Committee Co-Chairs |
June 30 | End of PGY1 year | Research pathway deadline | Residents finalize decision of Research Pathway | Research Committee Co-Chairs |
Ongoing | PGY2-PGY3 | Research involvement in early years | In collaboration with residency advisor and/or research mentor, residents prepare at least one clinical or research paper/abstract for submission each academic year. | Residency advisor |
Summer | PGY2 | Presentation of preliminary research plans | Residents present preliminary research plans to Research Committee, describing possible directions, research mentors being considered, and research pathway commitment. | Research Committee advisors |
Fall | PGY2 | Research Committee follow-up | Residents meet individually with Research Committee to discuss developing plans | Research Committee advisors |
December 31 | PGY2 | Research mentor deadline | Residents finalize research mentor(s) | Research Committee Co-Chairs Research Committee advisors |
March 31 | PGY2 | Research project deadline | Residents finalize research project | Research Committee advisors Research mentors |
March | PGY2 | Presentation of research plans | Residents present update to Research Committee, including finalized research mentor, project, and plans for preparing funding applications | Research Committee advisors Research mentors |
April | PGY1-3 | Research curriculum block | Research related didactic sessions, timed to occur around Resident Research Day: Grant Writing Workshop Basic Biostats The Mentor-Mentee Relationship Clinical Research Opportunities | Research Committee Co-Chairs Program Leadership Pam Derish |
April-June | PGY2 | Preparation for funding | Residents prepare funding applications | Research mentors Research Committee advisors Pam Derish |
Summer/Fall/Winter | PGY3 | Research funding applications | Residents apply for research funding | Research mentors Research Committee advisors Pam Derish |
March | PGY3 | Presentation of finalized research plans | Residents present finalized research plans and funding to Research Committee. | Research Committee advisors Research mentors |
Fall | Research Years | Check-ins with Research Committee Co-Chairs | Residents meet individually with Research Committee Co-Chairs to discuss research experience | Research Committee Co-Chairs |
December | Research Years | Applicant Interviews | Residents present research during Applicant Interviews | Research Committee Co-Chairs Research mentors |
Spring | Research Years | Research Day | Residents submit abstracts and present their work during annual Resident Research Symposium. | Research mentors
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