A Day in the Life of a Medical Microbiology Fellow: Four Perspectives

Abstract

Medical microbiology is a dynamic science essential to the clinical diagnosis and management of infectious diseases. Medical microbiologists serve as content experts in bacteria, fungi, viruses, and parasites as they pertain to human infections. There are several different paths one may take to become the director of a medical microbiology laboratory, the most common of which are enrollment in an Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME)-approved fellowship for applicants with medical degrees or an American Society for Microbiology (ASM) Subcommittee on Post-Graduate Education Programs (CPEP) fellowship for those with a Ph.D., M.D., Sc.D., D.O. and Dr. P.H. Upon completion of either track, fellows are eligible to sit for the American Board of Medical Microbiology (ABMM) examination. Additional eligibility tracks are available for equivalent training experiences in Canada and also through non-fellowship medical microbiology experience.

A day in the life of a medical microbiology fellow can vary drastically but can typically be summarized by three primary responsibilities in descending order of effort: clinical service, research, and teaching. A medical microbiology fellowship represents an opportunity to acquire new knowledge, apply what you have learned, and develop the skills necessary to direct a laboratory. While all fellowship programs lead to eligibility for the ABMM examination, certain aspects are unique to the training experience at each program. Here, we present the distinct perspectives of four current medical microbiology fellows, highlighting the common themes and diversity of experiences leading up to and during fellowship.