A. Optional

I. Formal Research Project

Residents have the option of engaging in a longitudinal research experience which may span the complete three years of training or for a shorter duration depending on the time needed for completing the project. This optional research experience is meant to provide an opportunity for those residents who are interested in more in-depth learning about research methods and design. The research topic for this experience should preferably be selected in the first year of training.

II. Research Elective

Residents can choose to work on a one-month research rotation. This learning experience is meant for those residents who have a sufficiently narrowed down research project that could be completed in one month.

Interested residents should set up a meeting with Dr. Hasnain to further discuss the above options which also would require permission from the residency administrative office.

B. Compulsory

To formalize instruction of evidence-based medicine and research design & methodology, a new educational series "Inquiry" commenced in fall 2003. The series consists of monthly sessions during the Wednesday afternoon educational time.  The purpose of this activity is to help clinicians acquire necessary knowledge, skills and attitudes to become informed users and consumers of medical research literature.  The series serves as a forum for residents to learn to work in teams and use evidence-based medicine to research and debate controversial clinical issues. The format of the sessions is workshop style, with lecture-discussion integrated with hands-on training in formulating questions, conducting computer searches for literature, synthesizing findings, and evaluating the evidence for validity and relevance. Participation for residents is mandatory but all faculty are invited and encouraged to participate. Faculty members with particular area(s) of interest are invited to work with Dr. Hasnain to develop Inquiry sessions. For the incoming residents, instruction is provided about basic principles evidence-based medicine and the value of utilizing research to enhance clinical practice.

Using principles of active learning, this year’s Inquiry theme is “Using Quality Improvement as a Tool to Learn and Practice EBM."  In addition to attaining the competencies outlined for the Inquiry series, the goal for adopting this theme is to enhance three key ACGME core competencies, Practice-Based learning and Improvement, Systems Based Practice and Interpersonal Communication.

 

Inquiry Faculty

Memoona Hasnain MD, MHPE, PhD
Director of Research

Mark Potter, MD
Residency Program Director

2005-2006 Inquiry Resident Teams and QI Projects

Team 1: Drs. Kochendorfer, Williams, Dykens & Piverger
Improving Efficiency in Answering Clinical Questions

Team 2: Drs. Galatanu, Ghani, Arigovindan, & Khdour
ATP III Guidelines for Managing Dyslipidemia: Are We Meeting the Standards

Team 3: Drs. Yaqub, Ahmad, Krebs, Mehta, & Khan
Osteoporosis Screening: Keeping an Eye on Bone Health

2004-2005 Inquiry Resident Teams and QI Projects

Team 1: Drs. Kochendorfer, Williams, and Dykens
Project Title: Compliance with ATP III Guidelines: screening for secondary causes of dyslipidemia

*Team 2: Drs. Glaser, Galatanu, and Khan
Project Title: Addressing prehypertension in people 55 or older in FM clinic: are we following the new JNC 7 Guidelines?

Team 3: Drs. Olivo, Ghani, and Khdour
Project Title: Resident stress level during inpatient rotation

Team 4: Drs. Rawal, Mehta, and Ibrahim
Project Title: Ruling out myocardial infarction: are all admissions indicated?

Team 5: Drs. Tashakori, Yakub, and Ahmad
Project Title: A comparison of circumcision techniques: Gomco versus Mogan clamp

Team 6: Drs. Varney, Krebs, and Piverger
Project Title: Promoting healthy stress coping strategies among family medicine residents

* Winner of 2004-2005 Best Inquiry Project