A written proposal for what is to be accomplished during this elective must be generated prior to starting, such that the resident will gain the experience of designing an experiment. During the elective, the resident will learn and practice the scientific method and rigorous scientific technique while carrying out their project/experiment. Techniques learned may include laboratory skills (molecular and genetic studies, animal experiments, chemical/biochemical experiments, etc.) or clinical research skills (clinical trial methodology, epidemiology, biostatistics, etc.). Ideally, the resident’s work will result in authorship on manuscript(s) or abstract(s). Residents will learn about the informed consent process and develop an understanding of HIPAA’s impact upon clinical research. In accordance with NIH Clinical Research standards, any resident participating in clinical research will be required to participate in Human Subjects Protection training (obtaining a Certificate of Completion for Web Based Course on Protection of Human Research Subjects).
Patient Care
Goals
Learn how to contribute to the understanding of the pathophysiology of neurologic disease and/or the development of novel treatments.
Objectives
Patient care may be developed in clinical research projects. Residents will learn to care for patients within the confines of a clinical research study if applicable.
Medical knowledge
Goals
Build a broad and deep knowledge base in a research topic relevant to the pathophysiology of neurologic disease and/or the development of novel treatments.
Objectives
Medical knowledge will be obtained through background literature review in the research topic of interest. Residents will develop practical knowledge of statistical analyses.
Interpersonal Communication
Goals
Present scientific data and peer-review, ideally via submission of one abstract or manuscript during the course of training.
Objectives
Good communication with other researchers is necessary for collaboration in research. The resident will learn how to obtain informed consent, enroll the patients, and communicate with regulatory personnel.
Practice-Based Learning and Improvement
Goals
Identify ways to improve scientific practice.
Objectives
Residents will be responsible for working with supervisory staff and co-participants in troubleshooting the methods of the proposed research.
Professionalism
Goals
Residents will demonstrate ongoing self-education and habits of life-long learning.
Objectives
Residents will maintain the highest standards of professionalism, especially in interactions with patients or with other research colleagues. The resident will be responsible for tracking duty hours and reporting them to the supervisory attending.
Systems-Based Practice
Goals
Residents will recognize that they are part of a research team.
Residents will develop knowledge for regulatory guidelines in basic, translational and clinical research.
Objectives
Residents will recognize and comply with regulatory guidelines such as HIPAA for patient based research and animal safety regulations for basic science research. Residents will learn how to complete projects within this regulatory environment.
