Resident Scholarship
From the bench to the bedside, research is a critical cornerstone of the Department of Internal Medicine's mission. Our residents participate in a range of research, QI projects, narrative medicine, and other scholarly work, and present and publish regularly. Our elective schedule allows for up to 10 weeks of research and scholarship time.
We have developed a collaborative research culture and program including:
- Individualized mentor teams
- Formal research and QI curricula
- Funding for travel, meeting expenses, and submissions
- Two funded training tracks for those with strong research interests
Areas of Expertise
Our residents have ample access to a broad array of basic biomedical science research opportunities. In particular, the Huntsman Cancer Institute is a leading world-class research and cancer treatment center.
In addition to bench-to-bedside scientific endeavors, Utah has a strong record of health systems and implementation science research – starting from the nation’s first biomedical informatics department, to the Intermountain Healthcare Leadership Institute, the Salt Lake City VA, and more recently with our major training sites drawing national acclaim for being leaders in value-driven outcomes, high quality care and price transparency (for more information, please visit The State of Value in U.S. Healthcare).
Residents interested in quality improvement, informatics, or implementation science have ample opportunity to contribute to major projects and developing skills needed to be the next generation of healthcare leaders.
Intern Research Seminar
As part of our intern seminar series, we outline specific resources available for clinical research at University of Utah, provide dedicated time to secure required certifications, give tips for identifying productive mentors as part of our match-making program, and introduce a timeline on how to successfully use research to support residents’ next career moves.
Quality Improvement
Through the University of Utah IM Program, interns will have a unique opportunity to participate in a dedicated outpatient Quality Improvement Program at the VA Hospital. They will work closely with Chief Residents in Quality and Safety in addition to faculty to help evaluate the needs of their own primary care panel and work to better address those needs though a QI intervention. This is an invaluable experience as it offers residents QI and research experience early on in their training.
During PGY2 year, residents will spend a week focusing solely on patient safety and quality improvement topics. During this week, they will either complete the IHI Basic Certificate training, or spend the week performing a patient safety event analysis and prepare/present their findings at a regular M&M conference at one of our three training locations. Residents also have opportunity to continue QI work through their second and third year, or to take on independent projects with QI mentors at both the University and VA sites.
Conferences and Senior Scholarship Day
Every year the Department of Medicine hosts a "Senior Scholarship Day" where our graduating residents present their scholarship efforts during their time in residency.
Resources for Current Residents
We’ve sought to streamline the research process for our trainees: starting from the basics of medical research to submitting IRBs, performing research, and presenting at conferences. Below, are a selection of some resources included in our research seminar:
- Background research and writing
- Perform CITI training
- Manuscript preparation checklist
- Prepare an IRB
- Download and use reference citation tools: Endnote or Mendeley
- Poster templates (Pulse login required)
- PowerPoint templates (Pulse login required)
- Resident Resource Database: available via MedHub, Resources/Documents folder
Select Resident-Mentor Pairs 2022
Medical Education – Elena Gibson, PGY3 and The Curbsiders
- Check out Dr. Gibson’s latest work with the Curbsiders Podcast, episode here.
Cardiology – ALEX ZHEUTLIN, PGY4 (UStARR PROGRAM) AND ADAM BRESS
Analysis of Therapeutic Inertia and Race and Ethnicity in the Systolic Blood Pressure Intervention Trial: A Secondary Analysis of a Randomized Clinical Trial
PMID: 35006243
DOI: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2021.43001
Heart Failure – Jacqueline Dickey and Thomas Hanff
Heart Failure – Iosif Taleb (PGY3) and Stavros Drakos
Title: Outcomes of Asian-Americans Implanted With Left Ventricular Assist Devices: An Interagency Registry for Mechanically Assisted Circulatory Support (INTERMACS) Analysis
PMID: 32085955
Cardiology – Scott Rizzi, PGY3 and T. Jared Bunch
Depression as a Driving Force for Low Time in Therapeutic Range and Dementia in Patients With and Without Atrial Fibrillation
Rizzi S, Knight S, May H, Woller SC, Stevens SM, Steinberg BA, Bair TL, Anderson JL, Muhlestein JB, Knowlton KU, Bunch TJ
PMID: 34176597
DOI: 10.1016/j.amjcard.2021.05.021