Holman Pathway Application Form
Holman Research Pathway
Requirements Assessment of Research Quality Application Requirements
The American Board of Radiology recognizes the shortage of physician investigators in radiation oncology. To address this shortage, a research pathway has been designed for individuals to simultaneously train in radiation oncology and in basic science, clinical, or transitional investigation. This pathway is called the "ABR Holman Research Pathway," named for B. Leonard Holman, M.D., who first proposed this initiative.
Below is an overview of the program requirements.
For more detailed information, contact Claudia Rosales at crosales@theabr.org .
The Holman Pathway is designed for the exceptional trainee who has both strong clinical abilities and a background in and commitment to research. Entry implies a commitment to basic science or clinical research. (Trainees who leave the research pathway must complete the standard five years of training, including four years of radiation oncology or diagnostic radiology.)
REQUIREMENTS
PGY-1: CLINICAL PATIENT RESPONSIBILITIES
A minimum of nine months of direct patient care is required in internal medicine, pediatrics, surgery or surgical subspecialties, OB-GYN, neurology, family practice, emergency medicine, or any combination of these (ACGME-approved).
PGY-2, 3, 4, 5: CLINICAL TRAINING IN RADIATION ONCOLOGY or DIAGNOSTIC RADIOLOGY
Twenty-seven months of full-time clinical radiation oncology, which can include three months in PGY-1, is required.
In radiation oncology, Holman Pathway residents are expected to meet the same minimum requirements for special procedures (including interstitial brachytherapy, intracavitary brachytherapy, and unsealed sources) and the same pediatric caseload as traditional residents outlined in the program guidelines of the RRC in radiation oncology. For adult external beam cases, Holman Pathway residents are expected to simulate a minimum of 350 cases over their 27 months of clinical training instead of 450 cases during the 36 months of standard clinical training.
PGY-2, 3, 4, 5: RESEARCH TRAINING/EXPERIENCE (80%)
Twenty-one months (18 in extenuating circumstances) of dedicated research time, with 20 percent of this time devoted to clinical training. A minimum of 18 months of research is required to successfully complete the Holman Pathway. The approved candidate can also take three months of research during his/her PGY-1 year for a total of 24 months.
CLINICAL TRAINING DURING RESEARCH (20%)
Twenty-one months (18 in extenuating circumstances) of dedicated research time, with 20 percent of this time devoted to clinical training. A minimum of 18 months of research is required to successfully complete the Holman Pathway. The approved candidate can also take three months of research during his/her PGY-1 year, for a total of 24 months.
SUPERVISION
The program director must oversee the trainee´s clinical performance. Annually, the program director must attest that the trainee in the pathway has maintained satisfactory progress in clinical performance. In addition, the research mentor must submit an annual evaluation of the trainee's research progress.
When to apply
Candidates for the Holman Pathway should apply during PGY-2 (i.e., the first residency year in radiation oncology). Completed applications MUST be submitted electronically by March 15, July 15 and November 15 to crosales@theabr.org .
Assessment of Research Quality
Trainee
The trainee must show evidence of a commitment to a research career. The following are some criteria that might be used to evaluate a candidate´s commitment:
- Record of participation in basic or clinical research
- Record of publications and patents
- A graduate degree, such as a Ph.D. or M.P.H.
- Record of presentations at scientific meetings
- Honors and awards
Research Mentor
The research mentor should be a successful investigator with an active research program and peer-reviewed research funding. The mentor must accept responsibility for supervision of the research experience.
Environment for Research Training
A research environment suitable for a productive research experience must exist. This should include adequate space, equipment and funding for the research, and a critical mass of productive researchers identifiable by grants, publications in peer-reviewed journals, the quality of those journals, and the researchers' stature in their disciplines.
Goals
There should be well-defined goals for all research trainees and a detailed description of a research program for educational experiences, including coursework for research careers, that may lead to graduate degrees. (Individuals with previous graduate degrees might be especially good candidates for the Holman Research Pathway.)
Application Requirements
- Formal proposal from the trainee, describing goals and content of the research program. The research plan should not exceed 5
pages. Use standard size sheets with at least one-half inch margins, single spaced and single-column format, with a font size of 11 points or larger.
- Supporting letter from the department chair, indicating trainee's ability to achieve clinical competence in the abbreviated time and guaranteeing availability of and support for research time.
- Signed commitment from the research mentor to guide and supervise the research trainee. (If the research mentor is not the program director, the program director must include a letter supporting the research trainee.)
- A letter from the applicant's medical school dean.
- The trainee´s USMLE scores.
Review of application
Each application will be evaluated independently by three to four reviewers. Criteria for assessment include the:
- Credentials of the applicant
- Quality of the research proposal
- Likelihood of completing the proposed project during residency
- Productivity and funding track record of mentor(s)
- Program director's assurance of protected time and assessment of the candidate's clinical skill and ability to complete clinical training in an abbreviated time
The scores are tabulated for final assessment by face-to-face meeting or a teleconference. The final recommendation will be communicated to the applicant approximately eight weeks after the submission deadline.
