Research is strongly encouraged.  It is the goal of the program that all residents be exposed to research to the extent that each develops an understanding of the principles of science and an ability to analyze the medical literature comprehensively.

Part way through the first year the associate program director for research meets with all the PGY 1's to map out their research interests.  The research project may take the form of basic research, research in medical education, epidemiology, clinical trials, case reports, quality improvement task, or history of medicine.

All trainees are expected to complete at least one research proposal, critical appraisal project, quality improvement project, or case report with review of the literature.  Extensive opportunities exist for residents to undertake further clinical or laboratory-based research projects concurrently with clinical training.  The Associate Director, Research is available as a resource for residents seeking such experience and a broad range of faculty interests and experience exists to support research endeavours (faculty in the Department annually obtains about eighteen million dollars in external research grants and funding).  In addition to the weekly half-day, up to three blocks of research electives are permitted during "core" training.  In the second and third years the academic half-day has minimal structured teaching to ensure protected time for research

TRAVEL TO CONFERENCES

The program encourages residents to attend a major conference in IM or its subspecialties.  You are allowed 5 working days of conference leave.

R2 residents have $900.00 (Canadian) and R3 residents have $1100.00 (Canadian) for travel allowance to a conference.

Apply using a Calgary Health Region travel reimbursement form.  Originals of the receipts must be attached.  Your airline ticket must be booked through BTI Ryder travel agency in order to claim the money on the CHR travel reimbursement form.

The conference must be a recognized conference where original research is presented (i.e. any conference where there are poster sessions would qualify).  This means that you cannot use the money for a review course without talking to Dr. Ainslie before the meeting.

The PGME office has $2,000.00 additional to any resident who is presenting a poster or a talk at a conference. You must be the lead author and the work must have been done here in Calgary. You must apply and get approval for this funding before the conference. Go to the PGME office for the form. Bring a copy of the abstract with you. PGME application must apply in advance to be eligible for PGME funding.

RESIDENTS RESEARCH DAY

There is an annual resident research day (normally in May).  This is a high profile event where residents can share their work with their colleagues.  Topics range from research done in basic science to clinical epidemiology, quality improvement projects and case reports (with a review of the literature).  All residents are expected to present individually or as part of a group.  The event is a friendly and educational day