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We appreciate the thoughtful comments by Jibrin and Dy1Jibrin IM, Dy N. Clinical research during internal medicine residency: a practical guide, letter to the editor. Am J Med. (in press).Google Scholar and Chandra and colleagues2Chandra D, Gupta S, Hamill R. Letter to the editor regarding Hamann et al. Am J Med. (in press).Google Scholar regarding our article on research during internal medicine residency. Jibrin and Dy1Jibrin IM, Dy N. Clinical research during internal medicine residency: a practical guide, letter to the editor. Am J Med. (in press).Google Scholar describe a unique database that manages patient sign-out information for residents and links patient care information to processes such as readmission and discharge planning. By the authors’ description, this database may be a powerful tool for hypothesis-driven research and evaluation of resident caseloads on inpatient services. We congratulate these authors on their accomplishments with this database, including several resident research projects and abstracts. We agree with Chandra and colleagues2Chandra D, Gupta S, Hamill R. Letter to the editor regarding Hamann et al. Am J Med. (in press).Google Scholar that residents can successfully conduct basic science research during residency. We believe our longitudinal model may be useful for resident researchers in basic science. However, in our experience, many residents do not have sufficient time during residency to learn new laboratory skills, apply them to a single project, and experience the full spectrum of conducting research from start to finish. For this reason we limited the scope of our article to clinical research during residency. Whether case reports constitute “research” is debatable. We acknowledge that hypothesis-driven research is only one of many possible scholarly projects during residency.3Hamann K.L. Fancher T.L. Saint S. Henderson M.C. Clinical research during internal medicine residency: a practical guide.Am J Med. 2006; 119: 277-283Abstract Full Text Full Text PDF PubMed Scopus (28) Google Scholar As Chandra and colleagues2Chandra D, Gupta S, Hamill R. Letter to the editor regarding Hamann et al. Am J Med. (in press).Google Scholar point out, publishing a case report requires many of the same tasks as completing hypothesis-driven research. We agree that publishing a case report can build confidence and provide a “back-up” scholarly project for residents. Systematic reviews or continuous quality improvement projects can provide similar benefits. Finally, as Chandra and colleagues2Chandra D, Gupta S, Hamill R. Letter to the editor regarding Hamann et al. Am J Med. (in press).Google Scholar state, K30 programs through the National Institutes of Health offer outstanding educational opportunities in research.4Bakken L.L. Lichtenstein M. Survey of the impact of National Institutes of Health clinical research curriculum awards (K30) between 1999 and 2004.J Investig Med. 2005; 53: 123-127Crossref PubMed Scopus (13) Google Scholar However, many community-based programs lack these opportunities. Program directors may need to network with other institutions to acquire these resources for their residents. In turn, flexibility by administrators of K30 programs enables residents to audit useful portions as allowed by their schedules. Research by Residents: Diversify Your PortfolioThe American Journal of MedicineVol. 120Issue 5PreviewWe read with great interest the article titled “Clinical Research During Internal Medicine Residency: A Practical Guide,” by Hamann and colleagues.1 This article discusses an apropos issue and effectively addresses the myriad of problems faced by internal medicine resident researchers today. However, we would like to comment. Full-Text PDF