Introduction

The goal of this training program is to begin the transformation of excellent physicians or beginning scientists into independent investigators in academic dermatology.  Physicians entering our residency program take full advantage of clinical and research experiences acquired during medical and graduate school to direct their career choices accordingly.

Selection of Research Trainees

All residents in our program are encouraged to pursue clinical or basic research studies as part of the training program. At the half-way point in the first year of clinical dermatology training, residents are asked to make a career direction choice. Those interested in developing an investigative academic career may apply for support via the NRSA Training Grant.

The faculty review the applications and the applicant deemed most likely to succeed is awarded the Training Grant for two years, to commence at the conclusion of the second year of clinical training. Other residents interested in pursuing academic development will be funded by other mechanisms according to availability.

Pre-Research-Training Period

The first two years in clinical training are supported by clinical residency salaries that comply with requirements set forth by the American Board of Dermatology and the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education. MD trainees typically are able to take the qualifying examination administered by the American Board of Dermatology after their third year of training. There is institutional commitment to provide the necessary resident salaries that will accommodate clinical training during the first two years.

As soon as the Advisory Committee and Program Director choose the candidate for support by the Training Grant, the Program Director will meet with the trainee to set expectations for the next 18 months. During this pre-training period, which will be dominated by clinical duties, it is expected that the trainee will actively seek out laboratory environments and mentors concordant with his or her specific research interests with the aim of selecting a laboratory mentor.

The selection of the laboratory mentor remains the most crucial step in launching the career of any potential physician-scientist. The choice of laboratory mentor will be decided by combining the interests of the trainee with the Program's commitment to secure for the trainee a rigorous and supportive experience in the most intellectually stimulating and productive environment possible. All faculty members may be engaged to help residents identify appropriate mentors and to direct them in reading about ideas they have.

It is expected that during the Pre-Research-Training period appropriate Institutional Review Board applications and possibly grant applications for supplemental support will be written during this period to facilitate immediate startup when the research year begins. The Program Director will meet with the Trainee formally at least twice yearly throughout the 18-month pre-training period and informally more often to monitor progress and give counsel until the laboratory mentor is chosen and the project outlined.

After the resident has chosen a mentor, a member of the faculty will conduct periodic reviews of the resident's progress with the resident and the resident's mentor. The dermatology faculty member is expected to assist residents in developing collaborations, and, if necessary, obtaining additional funding to support the work.

Supplemental research funding for underrepresented minority residents is available through the National Institutes of Health and other agencies.

Research Training Faculty

The University of Washington Dermatology Residency Program encourages residents with an interest in research to use their initiative, imagination, and individual strengths to break out of traditional molds and find research mentors outside of dermatology; we believe that our specialty is enriched and our program benefitted by seeking new approaches, knowledge, and techniques.

Research Training Period

During the 24-month training period, Dr. Olerud will meet with the trainee at least semi-annually. Additionally, the most appropriate faculty member will be designated to meet with the preceptor periodically throughout the training period to monitor the progress of the trainee and to help facilitate career development.

Collaborations

Frequent collaboration opportunities on problems of mutual interest between the various laboratories afford trainees the advantage of developing active research relationships with other members of the training faculty in association with their primary preceptor. Under special arrangement, it also is possible for a trainee to learn new techniques or pursue collaborations related to cutaneous disease in a laboratory of a faculty member of another department of the School of Medicine.

In addition to the basic research opportunities available, it should be emphasized that the facilities and patients available for clinical research in Dermatology at the University of Washington Medical Center are excellent and indeed world class with respect to genetic disorders.

Didactics

All trainees are expected to attend departmental seminars as well as participate actively in the weekly research conferences of their mentor's laboratory. Trainees who think that they may be deficient in subject matter in certain specialized areas related to their research interests are encouraged to take formal graduate level courses at the School of Medicine or at the contiguous University campus. Courses in biomedical statistical analysis have been taken by some trainees. A formal course giving an overview of basic laboratory methods is presented every other year by the Department of Medicine and a course in biomedical research integrity is presented every other year by the School of Medicine. Every research trainee is expected to take these courses once during their training period.

Relationship to Clinical Training

During the two years of laboratory training, residents are freed from significant clinical responsibilities, thereby permitting them to devote their major efforts to research. A maximum of two half-day continuity clinics will keep the resident in touch with his or her peer group and with clinical dermatology. There is flexibility with regard to location and scope of the continuity clinics. Attendance at the clinical and didactic conferences, unless it directly conflicts with research activities, is required.

Research Training Handbook

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