Resident Perception of Academic Skills Training and Impact on Academic Career Choice

Abstract

Abstract. Objectives: 1) To evaluate residents' perceptions of the quality of training in basic academic skills and the availability and quality of research resources during residency; 2) to evaluate the association between these attitudes and choice of an academic career; and 3) to assess residents' attitudes toward the importance of postgraduate fellowship training for success in an academic career. Methods: A 15-item survey was administered to all U.S. emergency medicine (EM) residents in conjunction with the February 1997 American Board of Emergency Medicine (ABEM) In-service Examination. The survey assessed resident interest in a career in academic EM, and resident perception of the general quality of training in academic (research and teaching) skills. Residents were also asked to rate the quality of their training in the following specific academic skills: medical and grant writing, bedside teaching, lecturing, the use of computers, study design, statistics, and the use of audiovisual aids. Resident perceptions of the availability of the following resources were also assessed: teaching and research role models, data collection and analysis support, laboratory facilities, financial support of research, research fundamentals lectures, and computers. Results: The response rate was 93%. Forty-four percent of the respondents were interested in academic EM, 36.6% were undecided, and 19.6% were not interested in an academic career. On a scale of 1 (unprepared) to 5 (well prepared), the residents rated their overall preparedness for an academic career fairly high (3.97 [0.86]). In contrast, they perceived the quality of their training in the specific academic skill areas assessed and research resource availability to be only fair. Despite resident perception of relatively inadequate training in basic academic skills, only 24% of the respondents indicated that they believed fellowship training was important for success in an academic career. Logistic regression analyses demonstrated that participation in a research project in medical school, the length of the training program (4-vs 3-year), being a first-year resident, and a better perception of one's overall academic skill preparation were factors independently associated with having a greater interest in an academic career. Conclusions: A relatively high percentage of residents initially express an interest in an academic career, but this interest wanes as residency progresses. A minority of residents believe that their training provides them with the specific skills needed to succeed in academics, or with adequate exposure to research resources or mentors. Emergency medicine may be able to increase the number of qualified academic faculty by recruiting medical students with prior research experience, and providing residents with better research training and role models.

CanMEDS scholars: A national survey on urology residents’ attitudes towards research during training

“…This is an influence that has previously been identified in pediatric and emergency residents. 14,20 Other predictive factors identified in our search of the literature include the number of residents in the program and formal research training in the form of a Masters or PhD. 18,21 Comparison of our results to those obtained from a similar survey in 2009 reveal that research habits, motivations, and attitudes are remarkably stable over time.…”

“…8,9,10,11,12,13 Furthermore, it has been demonstrated that interest in research while high initially, wanes as residency progresses. 14 The concern around the decline in the number and focus of clinician-scientists have led to several important initiatives over the last few decades including increasing early exposure to research at the medical school level, initiating medical scientist training programs, fostering research in sub-specialty fellowships and developing clinician-scientist/early career awards.…”

Ten-year Experience with an Emergency Medicine Resident Research Project Requirement

“…17 However, participating in EM research as a resident was found to be positively associated with the choice of an academic career. 18 Prior data has suggested that supporting EM research, including providing funding for research and travel to present that research, positively influences EM residents' choice of a career in academic EM.…”

Implementation and evaluation of a novel research education rotation for Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons emergency medicine residents

“…2 However, although a significant proportion of EM residents express interest in academia during the early years of their training, this enthusiasm frequently wanes. 3 Evidence exists that formal research educational programs for EM residents can be successful 4 and that when scholarly projects are required of residents, meaningful contributions to the medical literature result. 5 The Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons (RCPS) Specialty Training Requirements in Emergency Medicine require research education and completion of a scholarly project during the 5-year residency ''suitable for peerreviewed publication or presentation at a national academic meeting.''…”