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Department of Medicine

Physician Scientist Training Program

URMC / Medicine / Education & Training / Physician Scientist Training Program / Curriculum

 

Curriculum

Our physician scientist training program generally follows the policies and requirements of the American Board of Internal Medicine’s Research Pathway. Details of these policies and requirements can be found on the ABIM Research Pathway Website. This pathway assures that individuals will be eligible for board certification in Internal Medicine and in a subspecialty during the training program. In addition, it affords ample time for in-depth research, positioning trainees well for careers in academic medicine.

For the PGY-1 and PGY-2 years, individuals participate fully in the categorical internal medicine program. Because of the shortened period of time spent in the core program, rotation scheduling will be individualized to assure appropriate training before entering the fellowship program.

The duration of clinical subspecialty training varies depending on the specific area as follows:

  • 12 months in adolescent medicine; allergy and immunology; critical care medicine; endocrinology, diabetes, and metabolism; geriatric medicine; hematology; hospice and palliative medicine; infectious disease; nephrology; medical oncology; pulmonary disease; rheumatology; sleep medicine or sports medicine
  • 18 months in gastroenterology, hematology/oncology, pulmonary/critical care medicine, or rheumatology/allergy and immunology
  • 24 months in cardiology

Following clinical subspecialty training, at least three years of research training at 80 percent commitment is required. ABIM defines research as scholarly activities intended to develop new scientific knowledge. Thus, the duration of the program will be 6-7 years, depending on the individual’s choice of subspecialty training program. Individuals are eligible for Internal Medicine Board Certification in summer of the PGY-4 year, and for Subspecialty Board Certification in fall of the PGY-6 or PGY-7 year.

Significant financial support is available for research endeavors and faculty development, based on each individual’s needs and goals. During the final year of the program, faculty appointment as an instructor is anticipated, based on satisfactory clinical and research progress.