Re-thinking clinical research training in residency.

Area of Science:

• Medical Education
• Physician Training
• Clinical Research

Background:

• Growing need for translational and patient-centered research.
• Declining interest in academic medicine careers among physicians.
• Accreditation requirements and need for research-appraising physicians.

Purpose of the Study:

• To critically evaluate the mandate for original clinical research during residency.
• To explore the central purpose of research training for clinician-scientists.
• To identify alternatives to traditional original research requirements.

Main Methods:

• Structured discussion around three key questions regarding resident research training.
• Analysis of the opportunity costs associated with mandatory resident research.
• Consideration of social accountability and public welfare in research training.

Main Results:

• The focus on original resident research may not be the optimal approach for developing clinician-scientists.
• Factors beyond resident research training are critical for successful clinician-scientist development.
• The opportunity cost of resident research training warrants careful consideration.

Conclusions:

• Medical educators must critically re-evaluate current resident research training programs.
• Research training should be aligned with local priorities to best serve the public interest.
• Encouraging research focused on local public good is a viable alternative.