The Subspecialty Research Pathway
The UAB Department of Medicine ranks consistently in the top 20 in the nation for NIH grants and is committed to training talented housestaff to become independent investigators. The American Board of Internal Medicine (ABIM) has created a training pathway for residents committed to academic physician-scientist careers. The ABIM Research Pathway (also known as a “short track”) is a structured program that combines internal medicine residency training, clinical fellowship training and scholarly research. Applicants to the UAB ABIM Research Pathway are expected to have had extensive research training, such as a combined M.D./Ph.D. programs or other significant research experience. Applicants are expected to commit to a fellowship program at the time of application.

The essential elements of the pathway are as follows:

• 24 months internal medicine training: The ABIM Research Pathway resident will devote this portion of the pathway to patient care. Since this critical period of training is shortened from 36 months of standard categorical training to 24 months, participants are expected to be outstanding clinicians that excel at patient care.
• 12-24 months clinical subspecialty training: The training period is dependent on the type of fellowship, and is determined by the ABIM and the professional subspecialty boards. See tables below.
• 36 months research training: A research mentor will be selected before the completion of residency training. During the research training period, it is expected that the participant will develop, with the guidance of the research mentor, a research program. The participant will also present oral and/or poster presentations at regional, national and international scientific meetings and publish in peer-reviewed journals, and participate in structured seminars, journal clubs and laboratory meetings. At least 80% of effort during this three-year period will be devoted to research training, along with ½ day per week (10% effort) of an ambulatory subspecialty continuity clinic. The remaining 10% of effort will be a combination of additional clinical or research time to be determined by the subspecialty program.

It is expected that successful participants will apply for a NIH Career Development Award or other competitive career development award during the last year of the program.

•  Board Examinations: The ABIM Research Pathway participants are eligible to take the Internal Medicine Board Examination at the beginning (Summer) of the 4^th year   of the pathway, as long as two years of training in internal medicine and one year of subspecialty training have been completed satisfactorily. Eligibility for subspecialty board certifications begins in the Fall of the 6^th year for 6 year programs and the Fall of the 7^th year for 6 ½ and 7 year programs.