University of California San Francisco

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

  1. Identify research resources at UCSF
  2. Have skills in the research process
  3. Develop successful grant writing skills
  4. Identify feasible and doable research projects
  5. Submit a grant 
  6. Conduct research
  7. Work successfully with a research mentor
  8. Have financial support during the research years
  9. Present both in presentation and publication research process and results
  10. 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

Research Committee