Hi Everyone,
In a recent social media skirmish, the widely beloved—and erstwhile Yale commencement speaker—Dr. Glaucomflecken called for banning medical student research. I don’t know how serious he was, but I do want to devote this Note to defending trainee research.
To give Dr. G his due, let’s concede that many competitive specialties demand reams of research from applicants, sowing anxiety and yielding heaps of low-value publications in low-tier journals. As many medical schools adopt pass-fail grading, students may view research as a means to stand out among applicants. The imperative to produce can displace other crucial activities, like learning clinical medicine—and resting.
But let’s not vilify research. Many trainees, particularly at programs like ours, are destined to become physician scientists. Moreover, all trainees benefit from experiences that teach them to formulate questions, think critically, and understand the science behind clinical practice. That’s why we embrace research in our mission.
When reviewing residency applications, we look for dedication to scholarship, defined broadly: basic, translational, or clinical research; quality improvement projects; the creation of educational content; and contributions to the humanities. We don’t simply count papers: we seek evidence of high quality work, leadership (i.e., first authorship), and potential to contribute to academic medicine, particularly within letters from PIs.
During residency, we introduce trainees to mentors, offer financial support to present at conferences, and set time aside for scholarship—up to three months as allowed by the American Board of Internal Medicine. Residents can participate in Research-in-Residency, pursue an Investigation Distinction, and, if qualified, join our Physician Scientist Track.
Scholarship enhances clinical education, teaching trainees to design projects, overcome challenges, write papers, and experience the thrill of discovery. By working with physician scientists, trainees can decide if they want to become investigators themselves.
At this vulnerable time for medical science, it is all the more essential that we uphold trainee research. As educators, it is our job to push back against generalizations and provocations while guiding trainees towards productive, fulfilling careers, including the opportunity to study, understand, and ultimately cure disease.
Enjoy your Sunday, everyone. I’m heading out to the Farmington Canal bike for a long ride and then to the beach for a long read.
Best,
Mark
P.S. What I’m reading and listening to:
- Letters from an American (August 26, 2026) By Heather Cox Richardson (on Dolly Parton)
- How to spot AI writing In The Economist
- The Age of Reading Is Over By Rose Horowitch
- Connecticut town halls ranked: See where all 169 landed By Philip Bump, Annie Xia, Luca Powell, Patrick McCaslin
- There’s Really Only One Way to Stop Students From Cheating By Adam Grant
- Small Good Things By Anne Lamott
- A Small, Good Thing By Raymond Carver
- Peer-Unreviewed: When the Thread Replaces the Paper By Samer Al Hadidi
- Artificial Intelligence and the Risk of Self-fulfilling Prophecies By David M. Maslove
- For a Bonkers New World, a ‘Brave New World’ By Frank Bruni
- The Warning Lights Are Blinking Again By Jen Easterly
- In the ‘Amalgamated City,’ Black English Was Mostly White — and Weird By John McWhorter
- How Not to Announce a Measles Death By Rachael Bedard