What Factors Influence Resident Research Publication in the Division of Plastic Surgery?

Less than half of abstracts presented at biomedical conferences are published in peer-reviewed journals. The publication rate of these abstracts and factors influencing their publication warrants investigation to optimize knowledge dissemination.

To determine publication rates of abstracts published at the University of Toronto, Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Annual Research Symposium. Following, to explore the barriers and facilitators of publication rate through a focus group with senior residents.

PubMed, MedLine, and Scopus were searched to determine the successful publication rate of abstracts published in the University of Toronto Research Symposium Program in a 9-year period. Multiple logistical regression analysis was undertaken to discern factors associated with publication. Thematic analysis of a focus group with plastic surgery residents was undertaken to further explore the barriers and facilitators of publication.

Of 126 abstracts presented, 39.7% were published as peer-reviewed articles. The association between abstract topic, type (basic science or clinical), presenting author rank, faculty investigator rank, or publication rate were not statistically significant. Faculty investigator affiliated site was statistically significantly associated with publication. Six major themes arose from the qualitative analysis: quality of research question, faculty investigator attributes, availability of supports, research program expectations, time factors, and collaboration between residents. These results implicate variables that influence quantitatively determined publication rates and point to implementation of changes that may improve resident research experience and productivity in Plastic Surgery.