Overcoming barriers to resident scholarly productivity and research at a large academic institution
Michael Dennis, MD
Abstract
Background: Scholarship is an important component of resident education that can increase future opportunities in academic medicine. Each year the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education surveys internal medicine (IM) residents for their satisfaction with scholarship opportunities. The IM residents at our large academic center have consistently reported scores that were lower than expected. We designed this study to identify barriers to resident scholarship and successful interventions.
Objective: Identify barriers to resident scholarly productivity and report the results of several interventions aimed at improving resident scholarship.
Methods: Leaders within the IM residency program were interviewed with a standardized questionnaire, and an online survey was distributed to IM residents. Comparisons were made between program leader interviews and resident survey responses.
Results: Program leaders unanimously agreed there are abundant research opportunities, that resident research is prioritized, and that time is the major research barrier. Conversely, only 72% of residents reported satisfaction with research opportunities, 56% felt that the program prioritized research, and finding a mentor was the most frequently reported research barrier (60%). Residents considered early discussions about research the most successful intervention to improve scholarship.
Conclusion: Finding a mentor was the most important barrier to resident scholarship and discussing research early in the intern year was the most successful intervention.