The Clinical Investigator Pathway

For physicians planning careers in biomedical research, our program offers a Clinical Investigator Pathway designed to provide intensive research training as an integral part of the residency experience.  This program is approved by the American Board of Internal Medicine.

The curriculum for the Clinical Investigator Pathway will be individualized to fit the background and educational needs of the trainee.  Its basic outline is the following:

PG-1 year is identical with that of the categorical internal medicine residency.

Another full year of clinical training in internal medicine, with emphasis on the fundamentals of general internal medicine and on meaningful patient responsibility.

Two or three years of full-time research, under the direction of a research supervisor.  The research may be conducted in one of the laboratories of the department of Internal Medicine, the Institute of Molecular Medicine for the Prevention of Human Disease, a basic science department of the Medical School, or elsewhere as arranged by the trainee and research supervisor.  The trainee can maintain clinical skills by participation in a continuity clinic appropriate for his/her stage of training.

One or two years of clinical training in a subspecialty.

After the PG-1 year, the clinical and research training may be undertaken in any sequence.

Candidates for the Clinical Investigator Pathway must have documented superior clinical performance.  Their admission into the pathway and arrangements for research must be approved in advance by the Department Chairman and by the American Board of Internal Medicine, prior to completion of clinical training in internal medicine.

Individuals who wish to pursue the Clinical Investigator Pathway should apply to and match with the categorical internal medicine residency program (NRMP #292316).  A resident who desires to enter this pathway should discuss his or her plans with the Program Director and Chairman no later than December of the PG-2 year.