Emergency medicine resident research requirements and director characteristics

To describe emergency medicine (EM) residency program research requirements, characterize research directors (RDs), and describe their research activities and productivity.

A survey with questions addressing program research requirements, RDs' background, type of research productivity, time spent, and compensation was mailed to RDs at all Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME)-approved programs.

One hundred of 111 (90%) RDs responded; 54 of the 100 respondents were from university programs. Research is a formal requirement in 80% of EM programs. Writing a manuscript (35%) and major involvement in a project (31%) are the most common minimum requirements. University and community programs had similar research requirements and were equally likely to have delayed/withheld certificates. Eighty-six percent of the RDs were male; 70% held this position for <5 years and 70% plan on being in the position for <5 additional years. More than half were junior faculty and 21 had completed a fellowship. Most (88%) did not serve in an associate RD position, and currently only 20 programs reported having this position. Fifty-four percent had protected time. Median hour/week time allocations are: clinical-22, own research--10, other people's research--6, administration--5, and department administration--5. Factors associated with research productivity were senior rank (OR 6.87), having a research assistant (OR 4.78), protected time for their own research (OR 3.06), and reporting that extramural funding was considered in the RD's performance evaluation (OR 2.69).

Most programs have established research requirements. Most RDs are junior faculty, have limited research training, expect a short tenure in the position, and have variable access to research resources. EM needs to foster an environment that will enable us to thrive in the academic community and create opportunity for residents to participate in meaningful research. This requires that all RDs have protected time, and that a greater proportion be at the associate or full professor level, have qualified research assistants, and receive periodic evaluation reviewing their ability to generate external funds. Appointment of associate RDs may improve research training and help ensure qualified RDs.