OB/GYN Residency Elective and Research

About Our Elective and Research

Research and academic pursuits by residents are a program requirement, and they are highly valued and supported in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology. Residents are strongly encouraged to formulate research ideas and seek preceptorship for projects upon entry as a PGY1. In both the PGY2 and 3 years, four weeks of call-free time is allotted for elective/research rotations to allow uninterrupted time to focus on projects. Residents may perform basic science research, clinical research, educational research, international health care projects, or any approved scholarly pursuit. Residents may work with faculty in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, BIDMC, Harvard Medical School, or approved outside mentors.

Residents are encouraged to publish their completed work and to present it at national meetings. All residents must present at the department’s Resident Research Day at least once during their residency.

Global Health Track

Several OBGYN trainees have been accepted into the BIDMC-sponsored Global Health Program. This program funds four to six residents per year to attend one of two Harvard Global Health academic courses. Additionally, global health curriculum sessions are held throughout the year and are intended to provide a framework for addressing global health disparities, prepare residents for their time abroad, and train them to be effective clinicians in system- and resource-poor settings.

Research

With the guidance of three dedicated faculty scientists and multiple research assistants, the Program in Epidemiologic Research supports the department’s basic science, translational, clinical, public health, and medical education projects that enhance the interests and expertise of the faculty, fellows, residents, and medical students. Mentorship and assistance with study design, protocol development, institutional review board approval, study implementation, data collection and management, data analysis, manuscript preparation, and grant writing are all provided, with an emphasis on the research endeavors of residents, fellows, and junior faculty.