Research training in the fellowship centers around, but is not limited to, the six-month protected time in the second year. During that experience the fellow will identify a mentor who will guide the trainee through a research project (see attached curriculum). Ideally the fellow will become a part of the research activities of that mentor and will be included in them for the remaining 18 months of the fellowship. Investigators available as mentors include those with programs in interventional cardiology, echocardiography, intravascular ultrasound, angiogenesis, coronary brachytherapy, cardiac magnetic resonance, and electrophysiology.

Georgetown University Hospital/Washington Hospital Center Cardiology FellowsResearch ‘Block’ Curriculum

Purpose: To provide a fulfilling cardiovascular research experience during the clinical cardiology fellowship.

Objectives:

Obtain an appreciation for how to conduct cardiovascular research
- Hypothesis generation
- Critical literature review
- Protocol development
- Institutional review board submission and purpose
- Data collection
- Data analysis
- Abstract preparation
- Presentation in scientific forum
- Preparation of paper for peer review journal submission
Become ‘expert’ in a very specific area of cardiovascular medicine
Obtain new skills which may have application to the future practice of cardiology
Learn to work as part of a research ‘team’ (often involving several non-physicians with research expertise)
Develop the skills and experience necessary to critically reviewer others’ research.

Curriculum

3 – 6 months prior to rotation:

Identify potential mentors and meet with them to discuss potential projects
Obtain review articles and prior publications in areas of potential research to allow an informed decision
Meet with other members of potential research team (lab staff, research assistants, etc).

3 months prior to rotation:

identify research mentor
identify area of research
submit name of research mentor and area of research to Chief of Cardiology for approval.

2-3 months prior to rotation:

perform literature search on area of research
develop hypothesis, in conjunction with mentor
write research protocol, in conjunction with mentor.

2 months prior to rotation:

submit protocol and consent form for IRB approval

0-2 months prior to rotation:

revise IRB submission and consent form as needed for final approval

Month 1 of rotation:

complete any of the above not yet completed!!
Discuss details of implementation of protocol and review any pertinent late breaking data from other relevant investigations (repeat literature review) that may alter protocol design
Work with other members of research team, learn respective responsibilities of other members and seek guidance from mentor as to your role in team; become familiar with other research projects being carried out by research team
Implement protocol (data collection)
Present (in cardiology fellows’ research conference) your hypothesis and protocol design to your colleagues.

Rotation (month 1 – end):

Implement protocol and complete data collection
Amend protocol as necessary (including amendments to IRB, as necessary)

Meet with research mentor (one-on-one) no less then twice per week throughout the rotation to discuss progress of research project, obstacles, etc.

Attend all meetings of research team you are a part of (and any other relevant conferences, as directed by mentor)
Attend all Cardiovascular Research Institute research conferences.

End of Rotation (last few weeks or months)

Complete data collection
Perform data analysis with assistance of mentor and/or data center staff
Prepare AHA or ACC abstract for submission.

End of Rotation or Post-rotation:

Present project at national cardiology or internal medicine scientific sessions
Submit research to Department of Medicine research forum
Outline paper with mentor
Write paper with mentor
Submit and revise paper as needed for acceptance to peer review journal.