ACGME Fellowship Program - Research Training
During the first year, fellows formulate a research project to pursue for their second year of fellowship. Fellows and faculty work together on this effort. Usually by the mid-point of the first year of fellowship, fellows have decided on a particular research track.
The Clinical Scholar Track entails completing a Masters of Science in Health Studies at the University of Chicago. The fellow begins work on this degree during the second year of fellowship and continues into the third (non-ACGME-accredited year) year of fellowship. Coursework is combined with a clinical research project under the dual mentorship of Rheumatology faculty and Health Studies faculty. Details on this degree program are available at http://health.bsd.uchicago.edu.
The Clinical Genetics track has a defined curriculum which introduces the fellow to the principles of genetic research. Excellent mentors in the Section of Genetic Medicine, along with Rheumatology mentors, guide the fellow to complete a genetic analysis as their fellowship research project over their second, and possibly third, year of fellowship. The emphasis of training will be on the process of designing a genetic analysis study and learning the techniques of genetic data analysis.
Basic immunology research options are numerous. Multiple cutting edge immunology laboratories are active in the Rheumatology Section and within the larger University of Chicago scientific community – all with relevance to autoimmunity.
The second and potential third year of fellowship is very much oriented to research work. Two half days of continuity clinic and some minimal inpatient consultation time do continue. Fellows are encouraged to present their work at regional and national meetings.