An incremental approach to improving scholarly activity

The Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education requires scholarly activity for both faculty and residents in obstetrics and gynecology (Ob-Gyn). There is little evidence on the most effective method to train, recruit, and retain research faculty who can mentor resident researchers at small programs.

To address this problem, we created the "Baby Steps" program for a small university-based Ob-Gyn program.

After a thorough assessment of existing resources, a postdoctoral researcher was recruited and coupled with an established researcher to raise the standards of resident research, facilitate and coordinate resident projects, and support clinical faculty participation in research activities. Grant submissions, grants awarded, publications submitted, presentations, and awards were tracked before and after the implementation of the Baby Steps program for faculty and residents.

After 2 years the program has already begun to show an increase in scholarly activity. In a program of 12 residents, 8 made one or more presentations at regional or national meetings within the previous 24 months. Additionally, 8 of 12 clinical faculty members were engaged as mentors in resident research, compared with only 3 in past years. Further, abstract, paper, and grant submissions by faculty increased approximately 25%.

The addition of a mentored postdoctoral researcher was associated with improvements to both resident and faculty research activities. Based on this success, a sister residency program has incorporated the Baby Steps approach into its training.