Research experiences and attitudes among five disciplines of residents in the United States

Abstract

WHAT IS ALREADY KNOWN IN THIS AREA

According to previous studies, reasons for resident resistance to research include the lack of experience with research design, ineffective faculty mentorship, limited or no statistical training, difficulty obtaining funding sources, insufficient time, and personal factors (e.g. training debt coupled with lower salaries for researchers).

WHAT THIS WORK ADDS

Among five disciplines of residents, the present study examines participants' prior research experience, explores self-comparison with the perceived level of experience of peers, and re-investigates deterrents to research activity.

SUGGESTIONS FOR FUTURE RESEARCH

Deterrents to research among residents have been fairly well identified at this point and future studies need to examine the impact of strategic interventions (e.g. resident research training seminar, statistical training during residency, research ‘think tank’ seminar, seminar for the critical analysis of literature) by programmes and their subsequent impact on resident attitudes towards research.

Keywords:

• attitudes
• general practice registrars
• general practice trainees
• hospital doctors
• international
• research

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Randy A Sansone

Dr Sansone, MD, is a Professor in the Departments of Psychiatry and Internal Medicine at Wright State University School of Medicine in Dayton, Ohio, and Director of Psychiatry Education at Kettering Medical Center in Kettering, Ohio

Glenn Papaioannou

Dr Papaioannou, MD, is a resident in the Department of Internal Medicine at Kettering Medical Center in Kettering, Ohio

Michael W Wiederman

Dr Wiederman, PhD, is an Associate Professor in the Department of Human Relations at Columbia College in Columbia, South Carolina.