Every thing you always wanted to know about Year 2 RSPs but were afraid to ask!

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Every thing you always wanted to know about Year
2 RSPs but were afraid to ask!
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1. The RSP info is posted on MedWeb. Follow the
   links from Curriculum Years I/II to the RSP info.
2. Select a project that really appeals to you. Your
   choices are extremely flexible.
3. Satisfactory completion of the RSP is a
   requirement for promotion to Year 3. You will
   submit a form no later than 9/25/09 to the
   Curriculum Office describing your RSP, plus a
   mid-year form (1/29/10) , plus a final form
   paper (5/14/10).
4. Your RSP paper is evaluated by your PPM mentors
   possibly others. The final paper should describe
   more than just the nuts bolts of the project,
   i.e., it should describe how the project impacted
   your professional development.
5. Have a back-up plan for an alternative project.
6. Understand the pitfalls that you may encounter
   working with a very busy clinician, i.e., have a
   back-up plan!!

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• Does your RSP have to be related to your area of
  Emphasis within the Pathway Advisory Program?
• No, but in most cases we recommend it as being a
  good idea.
• What are some of the problems commonly
• encountered by students working with clinicians?
• Reliable access to the clinician.
• Find out if there is anyone else to contact if
  you cannot contact the clinician? This applies
  equally to researchers who are very busy.

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• Good things to keep in mind as you pursue your
  RSP
• Ask about availability of your sponsor. If the
  sponsor is not always available, is there anyone
  else you can meet with or work with?
• Make it clear what your time availability will
  be.
• It is legitimate to inquire if your work on the
  project might result in your being a co-author or
  author on a publication.
• Do you feel comfortable with your sponsor or
  his/her lab group or clinical group?
• Do your best to clearly define your role
  responsibilities on the project. Make this clear
  in your RSP form that you will submit to
  Curriculum.
• If you back out of the project, carefully
  consider how you do this, i.e., be a
  professional.
• 7. Do not let a lot of time go by if you are not
  making acceptable progress on your project.

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• Sources that may be of help to you in designing
  your RSP
• Faculty with grants, follow links on MedWeb under
  Student Resources, Research (KSOM Contracts
  Grants, HRA projects).
• 2. Health Policies course (HP 101) - Dr.
  Schechter needs 8-10 students to collaborate on a
  project planning teaching USC pre-med
  undergrads. BMT 306, 323-442-1862
  schechte_at_usc.edu
• 3. Observerships in Internal Medicine Contact
  Internal Medicine faculty directly.
• Bridges To Hope Foundation - www.bthf.org, (951)
  324-3128
• Our House Program - Fredda Wasserman, Director.
  310-473-1511 Fredda_at_ourhouse-grief.org
• 6. CoachArt Ashley Fontanetta, Director.
  213-736-2850. ashley_at_coachart.org
• 7. Pacific AIDS Education Training Center -
  Jerry Gates, Ph.D., Director 323-442-1846
  jdgates_at_usc.edu

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• Sources that may be of help to you in designing
  your RSP
• 8. Community Medicine Resources - numerous
  possibilities for projects. http//medweb.hsc.u
  sc.edu/rsp/usc_resources
• 9. Patient Education Project - Norris Hospital
  Zul Surani, 323-442-7800, zsurani_at_usc.edu
  University Hospital, Carol Marcusen, (323)
  865-3151, carol.marcusen_at_health.usc.edu.
• 10. CHLA Teen Lounge - Susan Gorry, Child Life
  Specialist Childrens Hospital - 323-361-3429
  sgorry_at_chla.usc.edu
• 11. Research in Neurology Geriatrics - Freddi
  Segal-Gidan, P.A. Ph.D., 562-401-6871
  562-401-8130 sealgi_at_usc.edu
• 12. Research in Surgery - Maura Sullivan, Ph.D.,
  323-442-2368, 626-422-3336 msullivan_at_surgery.usc.
  edu or mesulliv_at_usc.edu
• 13. American Association of Anatomists Outreach -
  Dr. Schechter needs 5 medical students for this
  program working with advanced biology high school
  students.