Scholarship and discovery are essential components of academic medical leadership. In addition, clinical and administrative leaders must be comfortable with critical interpretation of new research findings. It is our goal for all residents to appreciate the scientific rigor, societal benefits, and professional rewards of thoughtful investigative scholarship. In addition, we believe that biomedical investigation may play an important role in career selection and development for some residents.
To further complement our clinical experiences, each of our residents is required to complete a research project during his/her training. The results of these projects are presented at the Department of Internal Medicine Annual Research Symposium. Research may be based in either the clinical or basic sciences, and the subject of study is determined by the individual resident's interest. We have found that this has provided a wonderful opportunity for residents to get first-hand experience with the process of developing a research question, collecting and evaluating data, and presenting data to their colleagues.
Many of the research projects completed by our residents have been awarded research grants; presented at state, regional, or national meetings; and published in peer-reviewed medical journals. Based on the quality and innovative nature of our residents’ research, our residents consistently receive awards from our Department of Internal Medicine in recognition of outstanding research. In addition, following graduation, we have had a number of residents pursue further research training in the Institute for Healthcare Policy & Innovation (IHPI) Clinician Scholars Program, as General Medicine Research Fellows, or through subspecialty fellowship training. Over the years, our graduates consistently comment on the value of this educational experience, even if they elect not to pursue a research-based career.
Recent projects by our residents have included:
- Role of liver dysfunction in the prediction of adverse outcomes in acute coronary syndrome
- Assessment of prognostic factors for mortality after inter-hospital transfer
- Description and assessment of the health status of Latinos in Washtenaw County
- Evaluation of the influence of patient gender on the diagnostic reasoning of medical students in a simulated patient chest pain scenario
- The Utility of Urinary BK Viral Loads in Predicting Late-Onset Hemorrhagic Cystitis in Allogenic Stem Cell Transplant Recipients
Learn more about the Department of Internal Medicine's Annual Research Symposium.
