Research/PSQI Requirements
The Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology requires all residents to participate in research and patient safety and quality improve (PSQI) activities. Interns are exempt from this activity, but each Intern is required to present a case report, based upon a case in which she/he has participated and should have identified a research topic by the end of the intern year.
Each II and III year resident is expected to be involved in a continuing prospective research project, which will be initiated early in the II year of residency. This allows time to enroll patients, to complete research and to prepare a formal paper for presentation at the successful completion of the research project. All residents are required to present their research at the annual resident research symposium at the end of the third year of residency.
To assist in resident research, each resident will select a faculty research mentor by July 1 of the second residency year. The resident is to meet with her/his mentor at least monthly.
Intern Patient Case Report (PGY I)
Upon selection of the case, the first year resident is to recruit the faculty member who was responsible for patient care of the involved case. That Faculty member is to serve as a mentor for the intern in preparation of the case report. Once the case report is complete it is to be presented during II year of residency during Tuesday Conference.
Format for Patient Case Report
Case reports should include the following five sections: an abstract, an introduction an objective, with a literature review, a description of the case report, a discussion that includes a detailed explanation of the literature review, a summary of the case, and a conclusion as outlined below.
Abstract
Introduction
Case Presentation
Discussion
Conclusion
Formal Research Project
Topic Selection (PGY-I)
By July 1 of the second year of residency, a research topic is to be approved by the selected faculty mentor. With the assistance of the faculty mentor, the resident is to complete the research proposal and submit it to Dr. Hedwige Saint Louis for review by August 1 of the second year. During September, the resident is to meet with Dr. Saint Louis and his/her research mentor for review and critique of the research proposal. Thereafter, having made recommended changes in the project, formal application to the IRB is to be completed by October 1.
Submission of Proposal (PGY-II)
The proposal submitted to Dr. Hedwige Saint Louis should be a one-page summary, which includes the Title and introduction to the study, as well as pertinent background information. This proposal is to explain the objectives of the study, and the hypothesis to be tested. The methods section of the proposal should state the methodology that is to be used for the study, state what subjects will be recruited, how the subjects are to be enrolled, and what controls are established for the study.
Proposal Format (1 page)
Title and Introduction
Background Information
Objective(s)
Hypothesis
Methods
Time Line
A timeline is designed to guide the resident and mentor in completion of the research project in a logical and timely fashion. It is the responsibility of the faculty mentor to take an active and responsible role throughout the research project. Monitoring of the research progress is a part of the responsibility of the research mentor. Therefore, the resident is to meet with his/her mentor by the third Tuesday of each month to assess progress in completing the research project. The update should include whatever progress has been made, including preparation for the IRB protocol, recruitment of patients and summarization of data. The resident is responsible for scheduling these monthly conferences.
Final Preparation (PGY-III)
By April 1, of the third year the resident is to submit to Dr. Saint Louis for review and comment the completed research project summary. This summary should have the approval of the research mentor. Throughout April, changes in the research manuscript are to be completed after Dr. Saint Louis and the mentor have reviewed the document. Following each critique by Dr. Saint Louis and the research mentor, changes should be made in the manuscript. By April 30, the final research abstract is to be submitted to the Residency Manager for preparation for formal presentation on Resident Research Day.
Summary should include:
Specific Aim
Background and Significance
Preliminary data
Experimental strategies
Rationale
Approach
Anticipated results and data interpretation
General methods
Literature references
Research Abstract Format:
Title
Introduction
Objective
Materials and Methods
Results
Conclusions
Formal Presentation (PGY-III)
For the formal presentation on Resident Research Day, the resident is to:
1. Maintain patient confidentiality by obliterating any name identification from x-ray, sonographic and laboratory reports.
2. Present data in a logical coherent manner providing legible slides for reading.
3. Make presentation in a well-rehearsed manner, limiting the presentation to 15 minutes.
4. In presenting a case report, the 1st year resident must be well versed in the total care of the patient under consideration.
Submission of Publication or Presentation (PGY-IV)
The case report or research study should be of sufficient clinical or educational interest, a manuscript prepared by the resident and the attending faculty mentor should be submitted for publication to Dr. Saint Louis for final review by the Research Committee by June 15 of the third year.
Below is a sample of research and publications from residents in the last 5 years:
LeThenia Joy Baker, M.D. - It’s Not Just IC! How Urodynamics Can Enable Successful Diagnosis and Treatment of Urologic Causes of Pelvic Pain
Curtrina Strozier, M.D. - Low Birth Weight in HIV-Infected Parturients on HAART
Crystal Welch, M.D. - Obesity as a Risk Factor for Cesarean Sections in Nulliparous Women
Raimot Agbe, M.D. - Barriers to Long Acting Reversible Contraception in the Postpartum Population at Grady Memorial Hospital, Atlanta, GA
Candace Gates, M.D. - African American Views and Opinions on Breastfeeding: Identifying the Barriers.
Michelle White, M.D. - The Effects of Delayed Umbilical Cord Clamping in Full Term Infants
Christina Cox, M.D. - Sonographically identified intrauterine growth restricted fetuses and perinatal outcomes.
Regina Lee, M.D. - Distribution of Uterine Cancer Histology in a Souther Urban Safety Net Hospital.
Emerald Screws, M.D. - Patterns of Contraceptive Choice in Insured vs Non-Insured Patients at Grady Health System