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Physician scientists have made valuable contributions to scientific discovery and advances in biomedical research. Marketplace issues in health care, however, make it increasingly challenging for them. We believe that physician scientists are a national resource and wish to foster opportunities for them. It is our firm belief that Laboratory Medicine and Pathology is the medical specialty where a research residency program makes the most sense. Residents in the research tract are given the opportunity to perform 24 or more months of scholarly basic or clinical oriented independent investigation as part of their residency training. The amount of time for independent investigation may be expanded, depending on a resident's interests and goals. Resources : The University of Minnesota, the Fairview-University Medical Center, and University-affiliated teaching hospital provide a broad spectrum of pathology teaching experiences unmatched in its scope by any other program in the country. The Medical Center is the major source of tertiary and quaternary care for over 1 million individuals in the health system and numerous other patients referred from the region and nation. Questions and Answers:
A :Laboratory medicine and pathology is probably the most suitable discipline for the physician scientist. Experimental pathologists have a long track record of making important discoveries. One of the contributing reasons is that they have the vast majority of their working time to do investigative work, yet still maintain a clinical presence. Q : What are the base level or minimum requirements for board certification on laboratory medicine and pathology ? A :Pathology residency programs have two broad divisions or parts : anatomical pathology and clinical pathology or laboratory medicine. For the research-oriented individual destined for academic positions, training in either one, but not necessarily both, is the norm. In a training period with us, this amounts to 18 months of requirements out of an overall residency of four years. Board certification would be in either anatomic pathology or clinical pathology. You could, however, also get "combined boards" in anatomical and clinical pathology with five years of training. Q :Will the residency emphasizing research compromise my clinical training in laboratory medicine and pathology ? A :No, the objective of this unique program is for you to become proficient in the practice of laboratory medicine and pathology while continuing your research activities throughout your training period. You will be sufficiently prepared to take specialty boards and practice your clinical discipline. Q :Will this fast tract type of approach shortchange my interactions with clinicians during the period of time when I might be emphasizing research ? A :No, when you are emphasizing research during your residency, you will take "call" as other residents do, attend grand rounds and be able and encouraged to participate in clinical conferences on an ongoing basis. Q:How will the residency experience better prepare me for research support from the NIH once I am done with my residency ? A :First, you will have one or more research mentors. Second, you will get into the habit of developing and providing what NIH expects. Throughout your residency, you will develop annual progress reports on your research, which will be reviewed and critiqued by our faculty members that serve on NIH, American Heart Association or American Cancer Society review panels or study sections. Q : What other ways can the department assist me with my research during residency ? A :Through the department and your mentor you will be provided with funds for supplies, technical support, etc. This support should help you optimize your productivity. You will gain experience developing budgets, reviewing financial reports and learning how to manage a research program. Q :How will I maintain contact with my research area while on more clinically demanding rotations ? A :Most rotations will have time available during which you may perform some research. Also, residents will be able to attend lab meetings, data clubs and journal clubs on an ongoing basis so as to not lose touch with their field. Q :Can training be extended if I wish ? A :Yes. Q :Can I take fellowships ? A :Yes. Q :Are there specialty fellowships available if I wish to take them ? A :Yes. Some examples of elective fellowships include :
Q : Will I be in training forever ? A :No. The objective is for you to complete training and get a position in the most suitable time frame for you. The minimum required time is four years if you wish to take boards in either anatomic or clinical pathology; for combined training in anatomic and clinical pathology, it is five years.
Q : Must I go into academic medicine ? A : No, you will have the clinical training to get board certified to practice in any kind of setting you choose. Q : Will I be able to get a job when I am finished ? A : We are very sure that you will be highly sought after for academic positions. The ability to acquire core competencies in the practice of laboratory medicine and pathology while at the same time growing your research program during residency will make you highly qualified for outstanding jobs. We are so confident of this that we will guarantee you a job upon completion of your training. Objectives :
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