- I didn’t do an MD/PhD program, and I don’t have extensive research experience. How much research experience is needed to apply to the program?
- I’ve done prior research, but not in radiology or imaging. Will this limit my chances in matching to the program?
- Do I need to have a project in mind before starting the program?
- Are research track residents more likely to do clinical, translational, or basic science research?
- How much does the dedicated research time affect clinical training?
- How does the Emory research track compare to some other programs which involve an entire additional year of research?
- What opportunities are there to collaborate with institutions other than Emory?
- Do you consider applicants from non-traditional pathways, such as osteopathic medical school and international medical school graduates?
I didn’t do an MD/PhD program, and I don’t have extensive research experience. How much research experience is needed to apply to the program?
Residents who have applied to and successfully completed the Emory research track residency have had a wide range of prior training. Some have multiple years of prior research through a dedicated program, such as an MD/PhD or Masters degree, or separate research years prior to or in medical school. However, this is by no means a requirement to apply to the program or be successful within the program. Most applicants have at least some research experience, although this may be only small research projects performed during medical school. We are looking to recruit residents who definitely want research to be a part of their future career, and the best way to learn that about yourself is through research experiences. People with a more extensive research history may have already learned more research skills, but you can learn these as you go. While people may enter with different backgrounds, our goal is for all residents to graduate with the skill set to start careers as physician scientists.
I’ve done prior research, but not in radiology or imaging. Will this limit my chances in matching to the program?
No. In some ways the people who choose to apply to our program are self-selecting, in that many people are interested in the program because they have prior exposure to radiology or imaging. However, this is not a requirement. Radiology is a wide-ranging field which impacts many different areas of health sciences and clinical care. People who have previously worked in other fields will often find projects within radiology which overlap and build upon their prior skills. This may mean choosing a project which addresses a problem that they are familiar with, although some residents choose different projects altogether. Many research skills, such as data analysis, literature review, and paper writing, are generalizable and translate well to radiology. Through appropriate mentorship and project selection, we believe our residents can be successful regardless of prior experience.
Do I need to have a project in mind before starting the program?
No. Much like the wide range of prior research experience, the expectations of our residents when starting varies greatly. Some incoming residents have extensive research experience in one topic and would like to continue working in that same area. This is encouraged, and our goal is to help those residents find appropriate mentorship to continue their prior successes. Other residents have a general idea of a topic or research question which they would like to address. For those residents, we help them select mentors and hone their research questions onto a specific topic. Finally, some residents are open to a wide range of possibilities across the entire field of radiology. These residents use the first year of radiology training to sample a variety of topics to determine what interests them most. Our goal is for all residents to have a well-defined project by the end of their first year of radiology training.
Are research track residents more likely to do clinical, translational, or basic science research?
Prior and current residents of the Emory research track have engaged in clinical, translational, and basic science research. It is possible to do projects across any of these domains while part of the research track; however, because of the emphasis on clinical training, residents are more likely to choose more clinically oriented or translational projects. Residents who are interested in basic science research can be paired with basic science researchers and guided in structuring the research time to be most conducive to their goals. We encourage our residents to seek out areas of research where they have the greatest interest and the greatest likelihood of future success.
How much does the dedicated research time affect clinical training?
Radiology is an intensive field with a steep learning curve. This is particularly true because most medical schools do not include extensive radiology training, and the different subspecialty areas of radiology (e.g. neuroradiology, mammography, abdominal imaging, etc.) cover completely different ranges of pathology and anatomy. For this reason, residents get slightly less research time during their first year so that they can focus on clinical training and preparing for call, which residents begin during their 2nd year. The dedicated research time does take away from time on clinical service, and we expect research residents to remain focused during their clinical days to maximize their clinical skill development. Research track residents are subject to all of the same requirements as diagnostic track residents, including lectures, call, and board exams, and we ensure that our residents are adequately prepared for those requirements. While this has not been a problem in the past, if necessary, we will design specific training plans to address any areas of potential weakness. Furthermore, most residents in the program choose careers in academic medicine, where they will practice in one subspecialty area. Fellowship training offers another opportunity to address any residual gaps in education.
How does the Emory research track compare to some other programs which involve an entire additional year of research?
There are several research tracks at radiology programs across the country, some of which maintain the standard length of radiology training and others which extend radiology training by one year. Each of these alternatives has advantages and disadvantages. The main advantage of the dedicated year is a significant increase in the amount of available research time, while the main disadvantage is a delay in completing training. We believe for the vast majority of residents they can obtain the research experience and skills necessary to begin a successful academic career within the context of a four-year radiology residency. Medical training is already extremely lengthy process, and our hope is to add no additional delays to obtaining the first academic position. In specific circumstances, a resident in our program may consider adding an additional year to pursue additional research experience. However, this is neither common nor expected.
What opportunities are there to collaborate with institutions other than Emory?
There are several other institutions in the Atlanta area which maintain key ties to Emory University, including the Georgia Institute of Technology (Georgia Tech), the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), the Emory National Primate Research Center, and others. Our residents have access to researchers at all of these institutions and collaborations are encouraged. The Wallace J. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering, a joint department between Emory University and Georgia Tech, is one of the most popular collaborators. Emory Radiology faculty have close ties to faculty of these institutions--some have joint appointments--and can help residents develop connections when needed.
Do you consider applicants from non-traditional pathways, such as osteopathic medical school and international medical school graduates?
Yes. All applicants who are eligible for residency training in the United States will be considered. Emory has a strong track record of including residents and faculty from these training pathways, and all applicants are encouraged to apply. International medical graduates typically have had one or more clinical or research experiences prior to application.