Radhika Agarwal, MD

Emory University Preventive Medicine and Public Health Residency Program

This rotation was a highlight of my medical training. I chose AHRQ because coming from a Family Medicine background, the USPSTF recommendations are our guiding star, and this rotation is an incredible opportunity to work with medical officers serving Task Force members and understand the processes of the Task Force. It is a way to see how preventive medicine is applied on a national level and how it can affect the lives of many. It combined my training in preventive medicine, clinical medicine, and public health.

I saw large scale decisions being deliberated on by the Task Force members. I learned about the USPSTF methodologies and how evidence is considered for such big decisions. I contributed to a variety of projects, including reference checks on a draft recommendation statement, drafting clinical vignettes for American Family Physician, presenting a journal club article, and editing USPSTF slides for a CPSTF meeting. Key concepts I learned from this rotation include: critically appraising literature and evidence, the USPSTF methodology and process, scientific writing, and some of the role of CEPI/AHRQ in national healthcare endeavors.

My program director reported he saw improvement in my writing after this rotation. The medical officers were incredibly kind and provided education, mentorship and career guidance. As a Preventive Medicine fellow, this was a wonderful way to see prevention put into action.