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Objectives of Training in the Clinician Investigator Program (CIP)

2015

VERSION 1.0

This document applies to those who begin training on or after July 1^st, 2015.

DEFINITION

A Clinician Investigator can be broadly defined as a specialist physician who devotes substantial professional effort to health-related research.

GOALS

Upon completion of training, a resident is expected to be a competent clinician investigator in their discipline.

The major goal of the Clinician Investigator Program (CIP) is to assist in the career development of clinician investigators in Canada. The program provides a formal postgraduate medical education pathway that fulfils the existing discipline requirements of the Royal College and provides integrated, structured, and rigorous research training. The training requires a minimum of two years of research intensive training that involves enrolment in a graduate degree program (graduate stream), to complete a thesis or equivalent, or in a postdoctoral fellowship program if the trainee already has a graduate degree (postdoctoral stream).

For the purposes of this program, health research includes not only the traditional areas of biomedical, clinical, population health, and health services research but also research into medical education, bioethics, economics, management, social, behavioural and information sciences as they apply to human health and disease.

The practical value of the Royal College CIP includes: structured research training with integration of clinical and research training plans; enhanced academic programming in preparation for a career as a Clinician Investigator, complemented by enhanced mentorship and networking opportunities; and exposure to a culture in which research and clinical care are both highly valued.

Only candidates certified or eligible for certification by the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada in their primary discipline may be eligible for attestation in the Clinical Investigator Program.

At the end of the research component of the program, the resident will be expected to have acquired the knowledge, skills, and attitudes fundamental to embarking on a career in health research. After completion of the CIP, further research training specific to the resident’s field of interest is often required for success as an independent investigator.

CLINICIAN INVESTIGATOR COMPETENCIES

Individual objectives of training will be developed for each resident relevant to each of the following overall competencies. At the completion of training, the resident will have acquired the following competencies and will function effectively as a:

Medical Expert

Clinician Investigators are able to…

1. Function effectively as a clinician investigator, integrating all of the CanMEDS Roles to function as a clinician and to conduct ethical research
   1. Identify and appropriately respond to relevant ethical issues arising in research
   2. Demonstrate the ability to prioritize professional duties effectively when faced with multiple patient and research problems
2. Seek appropriate consultation from others as required, recognizing the limits of their own clinical research expertise

Communicator

Clinician Investigators are able to…

1. Develop rapport, trust and ethical relationships with research participants, peers and other professionals
2. Convey relevant information and explanations accurately to research subjects, peers and other professionals, including but not limited to scientific presentations, grant proposals, publications and other communications
   1. Maintain clear, concise, accurate, and appropriate records of research

Collaborator

Clinician Investigators are able to…

1. Participate effectively and appropriately in interprofessional research teams
2. Work effectively with others in research teams to prevent, negotiate and resolve interprofessional conflicts

Manager

Clinician Investigators are able to…

1. Manage activities for research skill and career development effectively
2. Manage research project and resources appropriately, effectively and efficiently
3. Manage experimental data recording and result interpretation appropriately in research endeavours
4. Serve in administration and leadership roles, as appropriate to their research career

Health Advocate

Clinician Investigators are able to…

1. Participate in activities that demonstrate an ability to advocate for research programs, patients, communities and populations, as appropriate to improve the health of populations and the research enterprise

Scholar

Clinician Investigators are able to…

1. Establish and maintain knowledge, skills and attitudes appropriate to their research practices, with a thorough understanding and appreciation of the components of proper scientific inquiry
2. Elicit and accurately synthesize relevant research information and perspectives from relevant sources
3. Evaluate information and its sources critically and apply this appropriately to research practices and decisions
4. Demonstrate proficient and appropriate use of research skills. Perform complete and appropriate assessments of research questions and problems, using effective experimental methodologies, study designs and analysis to address questions
5. Consult appropriately for feedback on knowledge and performance
6. Maintain and enhance professional activities through ongoing learning
7. Facilitate the learning of others about research, including patients, families, students, residents, other health and research professionals, the public and others, as appropriate
8. Contribute to the creation, dissemination, application and translation of new knowledge and practices

Professional

Clinician Investigators are able to…

1. Demonstrate a commitment to the profession, society, subjects and patients through ethical and honest research practices
2. Demonstrate commitment, honesty, integrity and compassion in research activities, including participation in profession-led regulation, peer-review activities, and the prevention of academic misconduct
3. Participate in ethical research, with appreciation for the importance of research to the social, economic and biologic factors that impact health
4. Demonstrate a commitment to clinician researcher health and sustainable practice

• REVISED – Specialty Standards Review Committee – February 2015

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