Internal Medicine Residency Training Program Research Pathway

The Research Pathway    

The American Board of Internal Medicine (ABIM) Research Pathway is an integrated program that combines training in research with training in clinical internal medicine. This pathway is appropriate for physicians who intend to pursue a career substantially based in basic or clinical research. It is not appropriate for physicians interested in clinical, administrative, or teaching career tracks, even if research would be a part of those careers.

Our University-based residency training program sponsors residents in the ABIM Research Pathway. We strongly encourage individuals interested in either clinical or basic research careers to consider our program for their clinical and research experience. The core clinical program is described in detail in our website.

The Research Pathway allows trainees to accelerate their clinical training in return for a commitment to research time and productivity under supervision of a faculty mentor. Applicants who successfully complete the program become eligible for the Internal Medicine Board Certification in less time than they would if they completed clinical training and research separately. The track decreases the overall time commitment of a physician who is entirely committed to a research career. However, after entering the track, the trainee must complete the track to be eligible for board certification. If the trainee elected to move back into the clinical pathway from the research pathway, he or she would be required to complete clinical training of the standard duration.

The Research Pathway has 2 options.

Internal Medicine Option: All trainees must successfully complete 2 years of training in an accredited categorical Internal Medicine training program. The usual requirement outside of the Research Pathway is for 3 complete years. After completion of the two years of clinical training, the candidate enters the research commitment that lasts for 3 years. During this time, the candidate commits 80% of his or her time to research and 20% to clinical work.

Clinical Subspecialty Training: Via this track, the candidate is able to obtain board eligibility for General Internal Medicine as well as a subspecialty of medicine. The minimum requirement for full-time clinical subspecialty training for certification through the research pathway varies by discipline and would be 24 months in General Internal Medicine (rather than 36 months) followed by:

• • 12 months in Allergy & Immunology, Critical Care Medicine, Diabetes and Metabolism, Geriatric Medicine, Hematology, Infectious Disease, Nephrology, Medical Oncology, Pulmonary Disease, or Rheumatology
  • 18 months in Gastroenterology, Hematology/Oncology, Pulmonary/Critical Care, Rheumatology/Allergy & Immunology, or
  • 24 months in Cardiology

After completion of the appropriate clinical curriculum the trainee would enter the research period for 3 years.  80% of their time would be spent in research, 20 % in clinical activities.

The UCI Internal Medicine Residency Research Pathway Program

Intellectual inquiry and academic rigor form the core of our philosophy of residency training. Each element of the Program is designed with this core in mind, and all residents benefit from the academic environment fostered by that commitment. We believe that an understanding of research design and implementation iskey to an overall quality training experience in internal medicine. Beyond that core commitment, we endeavor to recruit a small number of residents with demonstrated interest in academic research careers to enter the Research Pathway. We believe that we can provide an outstanding clinical and research experience for these residents, and that their presence with us enhances the quality of the entire Program.

Although candidates for the Research Pathway need not commit to that pathway until they have begun their residency, we recruit individuals who have credentials and track records in research. Prospective candidates interview with faculty knowledgeable about the Research Pathway and about research opportunities. Our goal is to begin at the earliest possible time to prepare the trainees for their chosen careers. As soon as the house officer makes a commitment, we guide them in obtaining a research mentor, identifying projects, and planning their research. Our institution has long experience with MD/PhD training and a commitment to mentoring young investigators. We tailor their clinical experience to meet the core requirements for the ABIM and to complement their research agendas.

UCI’s research credentials and research-career mentoring credentials are well established. The UCI College of Medicine’s MD/PhD Program is an official Medical Scientist Training Program. We have built on this experience in constructing our own Research Pathway. You may visit the Medical Scientist Website for an overview of UCI’s research opportunities and strengths. In addition, a partial list of Research Pathway mentors and their areas of interest follows at the end of this section. Research Pathway trainees, however, need not limit themselves to College of Medicine or even UCI faculty mentors. Trainees can do their research at outside institutions if that would be the most productive pathway for their careers. Our Research Pathway Committee mentors trainees and helps them determine the best research pathways.

During their years in the research pathway, trainees are supported by grant funds with supplemental support from the Department of Medicine. The pathway pays salaries commensurate to those of other residents with the same years of training. Specific salary levels are listed in the core program materials.

Candidates must be qualified both clinically and academically to be considered for the Pathway. Evidence of commitment to an academic career is also required. Candidates should have already obtained a Ph.D. or other advanced degree.

All applicants apply to the Categorical Program via ERAS.  Applicants wishing to identify themselves as interested in the Research Pathway should contact Susan Altmayer at saltmaye@uci.edu or (714) 456-5691 so that we can include your interest in your file.

UCI Faculty Research Mentors Available to Research Pathway Trainees: