The University of Washington Family Medicine Residency (UWFMR) Research Track (ResT) is a pioneering initiative designed to enhance residents' research knowledge and productivity, introduce residents to the academic medicine structure at UW, and provide tools for launching a career as physician-scientists post-residency without extending the length of residency training – a crucial part of the larger pathway to physician-scientists critical to our specialty. It also aims to enhance the quality of scholarship within the UWFMR program and encourage cross-departmental collaborations with an emphasis on resident scholarship. This innovation session will provide an in-depth overview of how ResT operates within the UWFMR program. This includes details about longitudinal structured research time, mentorship, and financial support for national conference attendance. Attendees will learn about the impressive achievements of ResT residents, such as their conference presentations and peer-reviewed publications, and gain insight into the career trajectories of program alumni. We will also share key factors contributing to the program's success, such as robust support from department leadership, inter-departmental collaborations, and dedicated resources. Additionally, opportunities for improvement, such as enhancing designated research staff support and increasing funding, will be discussed alongside future plans for program expansion through regional pilot projects. This session will highlight ResT as a replicable model for other Family Medicine departments aiming to bolster resident scholarly activities and promote a culture of continuous learning and academic excellence in family medicine residency programs.
