Our goal is to help residents experience the research process from the conception of research ideas to the publication of the results. Below are several resources that are available to residents through the Medstar Health Research Institute.
Review the Institutional Policy on House Staff as Primary Investigators here.
Faculty mentorship
We encourage residents to work closely with MedStar faculty mentors who can provide firsthand research experience. To learn more about MedStar's researchers and scientists, please visit our principal investigator search portal.
Opportunity to serve as a resident/fellow member of IRB
The MedStar Health Research Institute IRB has developed openings for two MedStar resident/fellow members with an “Educational Appointment” to the IRB. This is a great opportunity to demystify the human subjects' protection process, particularly for those interested in an academic career.
Responsibilities include:
- Being familiar with the basic principles and mission of the IRB
- Review and determine appropriateness of new research protocols and continuations
- Virtually Attend one meeting/month on the 1st or 3rd Tuesday from 3:30 – 5:30 p.m.
- Present at the IRB meeting quarterly with the mentorship of a full board member
- Serve as a resource to fellow house staff for all matters related to the IRB
- Complete the CITI “IRB Members, Ethicists, and Ethics/IRB Administrators” Modules
Commitment: Monthly meetings. The term of appointment is for one academic-year appointment with the ability to apply for a 2nd year. Preference will be given to applicants with at least 2 years of residency/fellowship remaining.
If you are interested, contact academics@medstar.net or inquire through your Program Director or entity Associate Designated Institutional Official (ADIO).
Introduction to the Principles and Practice of Clinical Research (IPPCR)
IPPCR is a web-based, remote learning program that provides introductory training in clinical research by focusing on epidemiologic methods, study design, protocol preparation, patient monitoring, quality assurance, and FDA issues. This is a certificate program, and the textbook is free of charge to house staff. Registration for course opens each year in October. Contact your local Graduate Medical Education office or academics@medstar.net with questions.
Biostatics and bioinformatics support
Biostatical and bioinformatics support is provided to residents and fellows at no cost through MedStar Graduate Medical Education support and funding. Through the MedStar Health Research Institute, residents and fellows are offered support in research design, to include refinement of research ideas, specification of aims and hypotheses, selection of data collection methods, sample size calculations, statistical analysis plan; data extraction from electronic medical records; and data analysis, reporting of the results and abstract and manuscript preparation. If you are a current resident and want to request support, please fill out a biostatistics and bioinformatics initial request form.
Research exhibits
Residents and fellows are encouraged to get involved in our various Research Day events, as well as submit their research for display at the MHRI’s annual Symposium.
Surgical resident research program
The MedStar-Georgetown Surgical Outcomes Research Center (MG-SORC), MedStar Health Research Institute (MHRI), and MedStar Health Academic Affairs are pleased to offer a combined research development and bio-statistical support program. This program is designed to support the development of MedStar surgical residents in the MedStar Washington region (MGUH and MWHC surgical residency programs) pursuing careers focused on clinical, basic science, translational and medical education research in academic surgery.