Stimulating resident research in a general surgery residency community program

Resident research teams were established at this community hospital in the 1997 academic year. Research productivity, including publications and presentations in the years before establishing research teams and the 8 years subsequent to establishment of research teams with faculty mentors, was reviewed.

Each team is supported by a research specialist who provides assistance with project design, data evaluation, statistical analysis, manuscript editing, and preparation of research presentations. Every resident is assigned to a research team that meets monthly. The teams consist of a 4th- or 5th-year resident, 2nd- or 3rd-year resident, surgical intern, research team mentor, and research specialist. The resident is required to be an active contributing co-investigator on 1 team project per year, contributing to the development and performance of the study, participating in writing the manuscript, and must be able to defend the study. By the end of the third year, the resident is required to complete 1 individual project that is submitted to the postgraduate competition for residents. In addition, a completed manuscript must be ready to submit to a peer-reviewed journal. Promotion can be denied if the appropriate time has not been devoted to research. Minimum completion requirements include a case report and a presentation at a national or regional meeting. The research registry was reviewed for all presentations and publications given by the surgical residents during the 8 years before the teams were established and the 8 years after the teams were formed.

In the 8 years before the establishment of research teams, 60 papers were published. After the establishment of research teams, 77 papers were published. During the 8 years before research teams were being established, 69 presentations were given. During the subsequent 8 years with the use of mentoring and research teams, 92 presentations were given. The research teams resulted in a 33% increase in presentations and a 13% increase in publications.

Establishment of research teams and mentoring can help stimulate research interest and activity. Continuity on research teams throughout the 5-year residency is also crucial for the progression and development, duration, and completion of projects. Continuity of the mentor and research specialists also helps facilitate productivity and completion of the task. This method has been highly successful in improving the research presentations and publications in a community-based hospital residency.