UC Irvine/AAP Badges Project

The Badges Project is a comprehensive, self-directed educational curriculum that was developed by the UC Irvine Department of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation in 2011 and quickly gained national attention for its innovative ideas. During the PGY2 outpatient/research rotation, one half day is allotted per week for the Badges Research Project, with additional time for those who elect to pursue an optional research track.

The Badges curriculum has since been endorsed and approved by the Association of Academic Physiatrists (AAP), and AAP now encourages all PM&R residents across the United States to use this curriculum as an introduction to clinical and scientific research.

1. Identify the knowledge and skills required for evaluating clinical research
2. Conduct clinical research
3. Provide guidance as PM&R residents undertake individual/mentored research and plan for the potential to publish their findings

Timeline & Project Scope

The Badges Project is designed to be completed over a variable amount of time, depending on the intricacy of the scholastic activity and the background experience of the individual resident. 

• 1–2 weeks: Presenting a research poster or publishing a simple case report
• Months to Years: More elaborate projects requiring extended research and analysis

Program Benefits

Successful completion of the AAP Badges Project helps residents feel prepared and confident in:

• Reading and analyzing medical literature
• Conducting research
• Writing publication-quality manuscripts

Exemption

Residents with a peer-reviewed first-author publication are exempt from completing the Badges Project.

Career Development

This early exposure to structured research provides residents with the time and experience needed to develop expertise in their chosen field. It also helps them find mentors for more extensive research projects or future fellowships.