Resident Research

Research and publication are important components of the educational process. Abundant opportunities for elective rotations are available at UConn Health and its affiliated hospitals for residents interested in research. Many of our residents publish in peer-reviewed journals or present their work at national professional meetings. Our residents who intend to pursue fellowship training are encouraged to explore research experiences in their specific subspecialty interest. A maximum of two months in research is available during elective time.

Scholarly Activity

Scholarly activity begins in the PGY1 year and grows exponentially. The PGY1 housestaff are required to present a case in intern morning report at least once a month during inpatient rotations. Evidence based medicine is the standard and literature review is expected during case presentations. Interns are encouraged to present case reports, vignettes, and abstracts at local and/or national American College of Physicians (ACP) or Society of General Internal Medicine (SGIM) meetings. Journal Club presentations are also required of our interns, who are mentored by faculty on how to critically analyze, interpret, and formally present current literature. In the PGY3 year residents are expected to prepare a Grand Rounds presentation during one of their ward rotations as well as a noon conference for their junior colleagues at the three major affiliate hospitals during the Summer Survival conference series.

A unique curriculum offering during the internship year is our “Scholarship in Medicine” rotation. This rotation is designed to introduce the intern to evidence based medicine, quality improvement, and elements of research design and statistical analysis. Throughout this one-month rotation, interns learn skills that enhance their ability to use medical informatics, critically appraise the literature, engage in Quality Improvement Projects, and develop and design sound research projects.

While it is easy for residents to meet the minimum requirement of scholarly activity throughout the residency, most residents go above and beyond what is expected. Development of residents’ leadership and teaching skills is encouraged throughout their training. At the completion of three years of residency, our housestaff are well-trained in formal presentations, comfortable with critical analysis of the literature, know how to access the most current medical information and, most importantly, are comfortable teaching others these skills.