Preventive Medicine
Preventive Medicine Training Program
Research Project
Trainees are required to complete a research project during their preventive medicine training. The research project fulfills the requirement for the MPH project and provides trainees with the opportunity to apply the knowledge and skills they have developed through didactic and practicum experiences in the training program. Although the basic requirements for the research project are the same for each trainee, there is flexibility regarding the content and the scope of the project based on the trainee's background in research, level of research skills, and career interests. Trainees typically consider a number of possible research projects during the first six months of training. Our Department sponsors a monthly research forum where trainees learn about current and proposed research projects; our Institution has a CDC-funded Prevention Research Center with many opportunities for projects, our State Department of Public Health is a consistent source of research projects for our trainees, and our Office of Clinical Programs provides options for health policy research. Clinical rotations also provide opportunities for research projects in quality improvement and health promotion/disease prevention.
The Preventive Medicine Residency Research Advisor works closely with individual trainees to assist in the development of projects. The research project, research site, faculty supervisor(s) and resources are identified by the end of the first year of training. The project is conducted during Year Two of the training program. Careful attention is paid to identifying and supporting a project that will further the career goals and interests of each trainee. The wide variety of opportunities for research projects is reflected in the list of research projects completed by our trainees over the past several years.