RSP Overview

General Description

The RSP is a mandatory component of our Residency program.

The RSP can range in scope and content. The RSP includes, but are not limited to, research studies, curriculum development, quality improvement (QI) projects.

RSP project types

Residents have 2 research blocks (8 weeks) during residency that are to be dedicated to setting up, initiating, and completing the required scholarly project.

Residents may choose to utilize selective time for additional Scholarly Project blocks to complete their scholarly projects. Selective Scholarly Project blocks must have clear goals and objectives and need to be approved in advance by the RSP Coordinator.

A resident may undertake more than one scholarly project throughout their residency if they choose. Residents may work with other residents on a scholarly project; however, each resident should have at least one project in which they are the lead resident.

Requirements

Residents must meet with the RSP Coordinator regularly throughout their residency to monitor progress and provide guidance. Residents are responsible for scheduling these meetings prior to and at the end of each scholarly project block.

Residents must meet with their Faculty Project Lead regularly throughout their residency to monitor progress and provide guidance.

Each resident is expected to present a project proposal (Year 1), a work in progress update presentation (Year 2 or 3) and a final project summary (Year 4 or 5).

Year 1

Step 1

Residents will be required to complete the following training during their Transition to Discipline blocks:

1) Lawson Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) Training

- Completed every 3 years
- Takes ~50 minutes to complete
- Available on the hospital learning platforms: Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for Clinical Research | Lawson Intranet (lawsonresearch.ca)

2) Tri-Council Policy Statement (TCPS) Training

- Completed once
- Takes ~3 hours to complete
- TCPS2 training is available at: https://tcps2core.ca/login

 

Step 2

  • Attend the Introduction to Resident Scholarly Project which occurs during Academic Half-Day for Transition to Discipline blocks. The RSP Coordinator will provide an overview of the RSP Rotation block. Speakers may be invited to provide information on conducting scholarly projects, including representatives from Western Ethics and Lawson Research.

Step 3

  • If you have a project idea, seek out a Faculty Project Lead to discuss potential RSPs and obtain feedback 

 

  • Unsure of a project idea, meet with RSP Coordinator to brainstorm ideas and be matched with a Faculty Project Lead

Step 4

  • Once you have decided on your RSP, obtain final approval from both the Faculty Project Lead and RSP Coordinator

Step 5

  • Present your PGY1 Proposal at the Annual Paul Harding Research Awards Day which represents an important opportunity for an expanded showcase of our Department’s research activities. At this event, held (generally) in April or May, PGY1s are expected to present their proposal as a 5-minute virtual poster.

Years 2 to 3

Initiate your RSPs once approved by Faculty Project Lead and RSP Coordinator

Determine if you need ethics:

Is your project a research project or a quality improvement (QI) project?
Read “Distinguishing Between Quality Assurance/Improvement, Program Evaluation & Research” https://uwo.ca/research/_docs/ethics/hsreb_guidelines/Distinguishing_Between_QA_QI_PE_Research-9Mar2021_Updated.pdf. Still unsure, complete the QA/QI/PE form within WREM where more information can be provided for the REB to review.


Present a Work in Progress (5-minute virtual poster) at the Annual Paul Harding Research Awards Day

Years 4 to 5

Once your project is complete, you are expected to present your completed work (10-minute oral presentation) at the Annual Paul Harding Research Awards Day.