Research in residency...when?!?

[velouria]

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I'm an intern in an IM program, interested in a fellowship in cardiology. However, I have no cards research yet. Intern year is busy, to say the least.

Research seems to be a prereq for cardiology. My question is WHEN are you supposed to do it, and is it too late for me to get started and get anything meaningful accomplished before applications are due?!

 

[SoRaven]

I'm an intern in an IM program, interested in a fellowship in cardiology. However, I have no cards research yet. Intern year is busy, to say the least.

Research seems to be a prereq for cardiology. My question is WHEN are you supposed to do it, and is it too late for me to get started and get anything meaningful accomplished before applications are due?!

Intern year is hard, but with the new work hour rules there are some residents who are tremendously productive during the three years. First step is to idenitfy an area of research you would like to work in, then identify a research mentor. You will have to use some outside time, such as golden weekends, a couple hours after work, but you could do something like a chart review or clinical outcomes/quality assurance project. Not everyone accepted into a cardiology fellowship has done a big research project. You could also use an elective month to "jump start" a research project.

 

[IndyXRT]

You could also use an elective month to "jump start" a research project.

If you're going to do this, make sure you have laid the groundwork first. You have to get IRB approval (even if you don't need it, you have to be granted exempt status before you can start your project). Also, make sure you know how you're going to identify the proper charts (not always as simple as it sounds). If you wait until your elective month to do anything, you may barely get to the point of reviewing charts by the end of the month.