Research & Scholarship

The Accelerated Research Pathway (ARP) is designed to accommodate and encourage candidates who are committed to an academic career as physician scientists with a strong research emphasis in a pediatric subspecialty. This pathway is not intended to be the only route to accomplish such a goal but provides flexibility and additional time for research training during the subspecialty fellowship without lengthening training beyond 6 years. Candidates entering the ARP may begin subspecialty training after completion of 2 years of general comprehensive pediatric training. A structured curriculum and close observation of the progress of the trainee during the core general pediatrics training is essential. The length of subspecialty fellowship will be a minimum of 4 years. The availability of this pathway in any particular program will be at the discretion of the general pediatrics program director/subspecialty fellowship program director. Although it may be advantageous for both general pediatrics and subspecialty training to occur in the same institution, this is not a requirement of the pathway. If training occurs in the same institution, it is advisable for the general pediatrics program director and the subspecialty program director to work in concert to monitor the progress of the trainee.

1. There will be no specific eligibility criteria with the exception that candidates must be committed to an academic career with a strong research emphasis in a pediatric subspecialty.
2. Candidates for this pathway should be identified early, preferably prior to the start of the PL-1 year, but no later than 9 months into the PL-1 year. This is necessary so that the second year of training can be adapted in such a way that specified curricular requirements in general pediatrics will be met.
3. The program director and candidate will not be required to seek prospective approval by the ABP, but must notify the ABP by means of the tracking roster in May of the PL-1 year.
4. Whether a trainee may remain in the pathway will depend on the assessment of the general pediatrics program director, who will be required to verify competence at the end of 2 years of core training. The program director must be able to attest that trainee performance has been satisfactory and the curricular requirements have been met. The ABP suggests that the program director utilize the In-training Examination results at the beginning of the PL-2 year as a measure of medical knowledge competence. A score at or above the mean for general pediatrics trainees nationwide would provide objective evidence of acquisition of knowledge commensurate with length of training.

General Requirements

Individuals may apply for this pathway either before entering an accredited pediatric residency program or during the first nine months of the PL-1 year. This pathway is open to individuals with MD/PhD degrees or others who can demonstrate equivalent evidence of research experience and commitment.

Training in pediatrics must be completed in an accredited general pediatrics residency program. It is anticipated that in most instances the research component will be completed in the same academic health center. The curricular components that constitute the pediatric residency training must be taken from those experiences that have been approved by the Residency Review Committee for Pediatrics as part of the requirements for pediatric residency training.

Clinical and Research Assignments

During the PL-1 year, a minimum of 10 months of clinical pediatric residency training is required. Residents in this pathway must have the opportunity to establish general pediatric skills along with the cohort of categorical pediatric residents. It is incumbent that the pediatric program director assess the progress of the resident in this pathway at nine months of the PL-1 year to determine whether the resident has developed the requisite experience and skills to continue in light of the truncated clinical training.

During the remaining training there may be as much as 11 months of research experience, of which a minimum of five months must be in the PL-3 year. During the research experience not more than 20% of time may be spent in clinical activities, including continuity clinic.

Eligibility for Certification

To meet the eligibility requirements for certification in general pediatrics, the resident must satisfactorily complete the 3 years of the IRP. The pediatric program director must verify that the resident has completed the prescribed training and verify clinical competence. An additional 1 year of pediatric clinical experience must be successfully completed to be eligible for the certifying examination in general pediatrics. This experience must be in an accredited specialty residency or subspecialty fellowship approved by the ABP. The program director of the additional clinical experience will be asked to verify clinical competence and training. The certifying examination may not be taken until all training requirements (ie, the three-year IRP and the additional one year of clinical training) have been completed.