Introduction

This hybrid combines your responsibilities as the emergency intern on call with a 1-3 week research hybrid. We realize that the time on this rotation is variable, and that clinical responsibilities may occupy variable amounts of term depending on the needs of the Emergency Intern On Call system. Because clinical volumes may vary, this hybrid rotation is a partially structured academic experience designed to introduce all PGY1 internal medicine residents to research. Through this rotation, residents will gain skills in accessing the scientific literature, scientific writing, and project design by using tools which are freely available in addition to modules developed by the library. Our expectation is that residents will utilize this time to familiarize themselves with some of the key tools necessary for embarking on a scholarly activity as a resident. This includes clinical research, quality improvement, population health, medical education, or any other field in which the resident shows interest. 

Goals

1. Understand and acquire the necessary skills to conduct an effective literature review
2. Become familiar with citation manager software 
3. Understand the principles of scientific integrity
4. Complete IRB training
5. Identify a research mentor and if possible, begin to draft a research proposal

EIOC Responsibilities

You are Emergency Intern On Call (EIOC) starting at 6 AM the Saturday beginning your rotation (or whatever day your schedule shows you EIOC) through 6 AM the day after your schedule shows you are EIOC (typically Saturday after your rotation). 

- This means you CAN get called in to provide emergency coverage overnight Friday into Saturday. 

While on EIOC/Research Hybrid interns MUST be:

1) Within a short (60 minute) drive of the hospital at all times. 

2) Capable of providing clinical care (cannot be sleep deprived, intoxicated, etc) and dressed appropriately for work (consider keeping a bag with shoes/scrubs in your car trunk)

3) Carrying your pager at all times. Pager must be on and audible at all times (including overnight). 

4) Available by phone at all times (phone volume/alerts should be on)

Expectations

As stated above, the time on this rotation is variable, and the amount of clinical responsibility is also variable. There are inherent inabilities to predict the amount of time an intern will have to dedicate to this hybrid. However, the overarching goal is to provide interns with the necessary skills to complete a research project throughout their residency. Regardless of individual goals or interest in an academic research career, these skills are anticipated to be of use throughout their careers. Residents will spend their time on the rotation meeting with their identified mentors for a project, completing IRB and literature review training. However, if an intern was heavily clinically utilized during the emergency system or had limited time on this rotation, then these expectations can be waived. Instead, we ask that interns begin preparing for their traditional elective. While on this rotation, residents are expected to attend noon conference and Grand Rounds.

Sample Schedule

This rotation is self-directed and the resident can move the components to best fit their schedule. The following schedule is proposed:

Weeks 1-3:

• Reach out to research mentor
• Library Module: Literature Searching
• Library Module: Expert Database Searching
• Library Module: Endnote Windows Tutorial and Mac Tutorial
• Sign up for ORCID
• Sign up for a professional twitter account
• Sign up for ResearchGate
• Complete CITI IRB Training
• Download Reference manager of your choice (e.g. Endnote [free to download - need to be on the UT network to access this page], Mendeley [free software])

Additional Suggested Education:

• Quality Improvement training through the Institute for Healthcare Improvement (courses 101 - 105)
• JAMA User's Guide to Evidenced Based Practice
  • Suggested Reading
    • Chapter 4 - What is the question?
    • Chapter 5 - Finding current best evidence
  • Suggested Presentations
    • Appraising Qualitative Research
    • Appraising Evidence from a Systematic Review
    • Appraising evidence about therapy

IRB Credentialing

If you will need to complete IRB credentialing prior to working on your project, please follow these steps to complete IRB credentialing. Your research mentor can help clarify whether you need added to an IRB before working on your project. The IRB credentialing process can take a few weeks which can cause delays in you starting your project during your valuable elective time if it has not been done in advance. It is best to complete these steps a few weeks in advance of your research elective to ensure that your time during your elective can be used on your project. 

1. Submit the e-research access request with UTSW using the linkhttps://ais.swmed.edu/redcap/surveys/?s=UH6mer. On the system access requested, check “eIRB”. 
2. IRB Online Orientation – complete the CITI modules for HIPAA, Human Subject Protection and Good Clinical Practice.https://www.utsouthwestern.edu/research/hrpp/training/
3. IRB introduction- please go into TALEO to register for the “Introduction to the IRB” online course. This is not mandatory but highly suggested if you will be accessing and using the IRB.