Residency Research Track

We are very pleased to announce the initiation of a formal residency research program within the Department of Psychiatry at VCU Medical Center. Our residency, which has been continuously accredited for more than 50 years, has produced a number of clinical and basic science research psychiatrists. We are now prepared to offer a formal research track for resident applicants with demonstrated interest in and aptitude for research. We will initiate this program with the 2008 NRMP Match, and will begin by admitting up to two research residents annually.

We have conceptualized the elements of our residency research endeavor as including four “tracks”. Track 1, for all residents, will promote general research “literacy”. This program will include PGY 1-3 didactics, journal clubs, and PGY-4 elective time, to ensure basic understanding of research and its application among all residents in the Department of Psychiatry. Our goal will be to educate residents to be skilled practitioners of evidence-based psychiatry.

The following tracks are specifically designed for residents entering the program through the new research track:

• Clinical Researcher

  This track will focus on the development of career-level skills in clinical research. This resident will work with a mentor in clinical settings throughout residency, will establish an area of research interest, and will pursue post-residency fellowship training to further the clinical research interest. During or after a fellowship year, this individual will be guided in application for a “K award” to continue their research direction.

• Translational Research

  This training program would provide the physician with a foundation of knowledge in general psychiatry, and an additional in-depth understanding of clinical epidemiology, genetic epidemiology, pharmacology, and a variety of clinical neurosciences. During PGY-1, planning could begin for acquiring a “T32 Grant” starting in the PG-4 year. An internally funded PGY 5-7 research fellowship may also be available. Continuing in a post-residency fellowship would be an expectation, with pilot data from an independent project to be produced during that year. The translational research track would continue with a “K award” and an independent research project in year 6.

• MD/PhD Psychiatry Resident Track

  This program will be available for combined MD/PhD graduates, or those with doctoral level training prior to medical school. The goal will be to graduate a trainee capable of functioning as an independent investigator. Trainees may be asked to seek NIH postdoctoral fellowship support for their PG-4 year, and for a possible PG-5 fellowship year.
  
  Internal funding for a 3-year post residency research fellowship (PGY 5-7) may also be available.