This unique five-year program provides residents with a strong foundation in family medicine and an advanced experience in research and scholarship over five years of training. There is one Family Medicine Physician-Scientist Pathway Program (FM-PSPP) position annually. The UC Davis FM-PSPP is one of seven such programs nationally to be established under the auspices of the American Board of Family Medicine (ABFM). Residents in the FM-PSPP program complete all of the goals and objectives of the UC Davis Family Medicine Residency and also develop proficiency in research design, methods, and reporting. FM-PSPP residents also have the opportunity to earn a Masters in Public Health (MPH), Masters of Advanced Study (MAS) in Clinical Research, or Masters in Medical Informatics during their training, at a discounted tuition rate. In this program, physician scientists are defined broadly, and may derive from a variety of backgrounds. The types of projects participants may pursue are also varied, and may encompass health services research, clinical quality improvement, community engagement, advocacy, and public policy, among other focuses. Methodological approaches may include, but are not limited to, clinical trials, cohort studies, population studies, and use of data sciences.

Anthony Jerant, M.D. is the FM-PSPP Director. Dr. Jerant works closely with Sarah Marshall, M.D. (Family Medicine Residency Program Director); Joy Melnikow M.D., M.P.H. and Joshua Fenton, M.D., M.P.H. (co-Vice Chairs for Research); and the many other talented and successful researchers in our Department. You can learn more about our cutting edge, influential research and researchers here . FM-PSPP trainees also benefit from our Department’s collaborations with other entities including but not limited to:

• UCD Center for Healthcare Policy and Research
• UCD Clinical and Translational Science Center Mentored Clinical Research Training Program (MCRTP )
• UCD Department of Public Health
• UCD Comprehensive Cancer Center
• UCD Behavioral Health Center of Excellence
• UCD Center for Reducing Healthcare Disparities
• UCD Violence Prevention Research Program
• UC Center Sacramento
• Various regional stakeholders (e.g., California Office of Statewide Health Planning)
• And the other six FM-PSPP sites nationally

Collectively, these partnerships offer further rich opportunities for supportive mentoring, didactic experiences, and personal and professional development in areas such as grant writing, communication, and leadership and conflict management.

Structure and Target Competencies

Structure of the Family Medicine Physician-Scientist Pathway Program (FM-PSPP ) Trainees entering the FM-PSPP will work with the program director and a faculty research mentor to design an individual development plan (IDP), updated annually, that will provide both the clinical experience to meet ABFM’s board-certification requirements and a structured research training experience. By the summer of PGY3, each trainee will develop a research plan that includes a summary of the proposed project including its significance, primary care relevance, and innovation; approach and timeline; mentor and mentoring plan; planned intellectual products (e.g., publications, grants); and graduate degree coursework, particularly electives planned to fill gaps in core courses related to the proposal. By graduation in PGY5, apart from achieving family medicine training competencies, FM-PSPP residents will be able to:

• Demonstrate knowledge in the synthesis and dissemination of evidence for health promotion, disease prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of individuals and their families in family medicine practices across the lifespan.
• Generate testable hypotheses relevant to the care of patients in family medicine and community settings.
• Lead a rigorously designed research study or scholarly pursuit on topics relevant to the care of patients or the design of care delivery in family medicine settings.
• Query and analyze data repositories/warehouses, survey or electronic medical records data to inform population health management strategies and/or answer research questions.
• Develop competitive grant applications for funding from foundation and federal sources.
• Lead or collaborate in the development and publication of peer-reviewed high impact papers.
• Lead research teams in developing a family medicine program of inquiry using a variety of designs.
• Disseminate and/or implement new scientific evidence that is relevant for clinical practice or community health.
• Demonstrate awareness of issues related to patient privacy and the responsible conduct of research.

How to Apply

Applying to the Family Medicine Physician-Scientist Pathway Program (FM-PSPP ) We are thrilled that you are interested in our Family Medicine-Physician Scientist Pathway Program (FM-PSPP)! We are dedicated to attracting a diverse and dedicated group of individuals and look forward to receiving your application. Applications for PGY-1 positions will be accepted through ERAS beginning September 14, 2019. The following items are required:

• Application (Electronic Residency Application Service - ERAS)
• Curriculum vitae (Curriculum vitae by ERAS is acceptable).
• Personal Statement
• An additional 250 word statement of interest in the FM-PSPP program. Please tell us why this type of training is important to you. Email your statement directly to rmshirley@ucdavis.edu
• At least three letters of recommendation (one should be from a U.S. family medicine physician)
• Medical school transcripts
• USMLE scores (Parts I and II, if available)
• Letter from your medical school Dean of Student Affairs

All applications are screened by our FM-PSPP faculty and qualified candidates are offered a personal interview. For full consideration applications must be received by December 31, 2019.

Contact information:
Anthony Jerant, MD
Professor and Chair
Director, Family Medicine-Physician Scientist Pathway Program
afjerant@ucdavis.edu