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 one month in research is available during elective time.

Scholarly Activity

Scholarly activity begins in the PGY1 year of all the Medicine Programs and grows exponentially. The PGY1 residents are required to present a case in intern morning report at least once a month during inpatient ward 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 and residents, 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 summer survival talk for the interns during orientation, as well as to prepare and present a Grand Rounds presentation guided by a faculty mentor.

Interns receive curriculum dedicated to scholarship and skills during their ambulatory blocks throughout intern year. One morning each week on ambulatory is dedicated to review of various topics for interns including but not limited to quality improvement, essential ambulatory skills, transitions of care, palliative medicine. Interns find they will use these skills throughout their residency and in their future careers. Additionally there is a patient safety curriculum that all interns will receive during their year.

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 residents 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 effective at teaching others these skills.