Curriculum

PGY1

1. Introduction to Research at Columbia
   • PGY1 interns will have a didactic lecture entitled “Introduction to Research at Columbia”
2. Research Certifications
   • Complete basic institutional on-line research training courses by the end of PGY1 year. This must be complete sooner if active engagement of research is performed prior to this time.
     • GCP/CITI
     • HIPAA
     • Conflict of Interest Certification
3. Mentor Identification
   • Each resident year will be assigned an overall mentor to ensure that each resident is on-track with the research curriculum. This mentor will follow your research progress throughout your residency.
4. Mandatory Attendance at All monthly Journal Club Sessions

PGY2

1. Didactic Curriculum
   • PGY2 residents will be expected to attend a lecture series (7 lectures in total plus homework assignments and a final exam) on “Principles and Concepts in Epidemiology and Biostatistics”.
     • Homework will be assigned and residents will be graded on them
     • Lecture topics will include: Introduction to Epidemiology, Epidemiologic Reasoning and Causal Inference, Measures of Disease Frequency, Epidemiologic Measures of Effect, Epidemiologic Study Designs/Criteria for Scoring Study Designs, Confounding and Effect Measure Modification and How to Review/Write a Peer-Reviewed Manuscript
     • A final exam will be required
     • The course will be graded as Pass/Fail
   • Mentor Identification
     • Identification of a Research Project Mentor once area of interest has been identified
   • Development of Research Hypothesis, Protocol and Ethics Approval
     • Develop a proposal (protocol) to solve the research question (conduct an appropriate literature search based on the research question, identify, consult and collaborate with the appropriate content experts to conduct research, and propose a methodological approach to solve the question)
     • Formal presentation of research hypothesis – presentation to Core Group in PGY2 year
     • Prepare and submit application for Institutional Review Board (IRB) or IACUC approval
     • Meet with mentor at least quarterly to assess progress
   • Mandatory Attendance at all monthly Journal Club Sessions

PGY2 & PGY3

1. Perform Research
   • Collect the data
   • Analyze the results
   • Meet with Mentor at least quarterly to assess progress
2. Mandatory Attendance at all monthly Journal Club Sessions

PGY3

1. Presentation
   • Meet with Mentor at least quarterly to assess progress
   • Present results of the research at the annual Sloane Academic Assembly at completion of PGY3 year
   • May include presenting project in progress
2. Mandatory Attendance at all monthly Journal Club Sessions

PGY3 & PGY4

1. Presentation
   • Meet with Mentor at least quarterly to assess progress
   • Present findings at National (e.g. SOGC, APOG) conference.
2. Publication
   • Meet with Mentor at least quarterly to assess progress
   • Write up and submit (± publish) to a peer-reviewed journal by completion of PGY4 year
3. Mandatory Attendance at all monthly Journal Club Sessions

Expectations of the Research Mentor

• Provide advice with regard to the research objectives, clinical applicability and feasibility of completing the research project within the specified period of time.
• Provide support and encouragement.
• Provide direction with regard to potential sources of grant funding for the research project.
• Advise with regard to potential collaborators who may have significant contributions to the project.
• Review research proposals and results, and provide an ongoing critique throughout the research period
• Assist the senior to prepare any required submissions to the Institutional Review Board or the Animal Care Committee and ensure that the appropriate approvals have been obtained prior to commencement of the study.
• Critique any draft manuscripts, abstracts and review all grant applications.
• Advise/critique the preparation for any presentations.
• Serve as an advocate and ensure that all objectives are met.