Evaluating the impact of a resident research program in general surgery

Area of Science:

• Medical Education Research
• Academic Medicine
• Research Productivity

Background:

• Resident research programs are known to enhance research productivity.
• Evidence for the success of such programs is limited within the Canadian context.
• This study addresses the need to evaluate a formal resident research program in Canada.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the impact of a formal resident research program at a Canadian academic institution.
• To assess changes in resident research productivity and attitudes following program implementation.

Main Methods:

• A 10-year retrospective analysis of resident research activities (Resident Research Day presentations, abstracts, publications).
• Comparison of research productivity metrics between pre- (2002-2007) and post-implementation (2007-2012) periods.
• Surveys assessed resident attitudes towards research in 2007, 2009, and 2015.

Main Results:

• Overall research productivity, including abstracts and publications, significantly increased post-program implementation.
• A statistically significant rise in the mean number of published abstracts was observed.
• Resident attitudes showed some shifts, with a trend towards less support for mandatory research.

Conclusions:

• The implementation of a formal resident research program led to a significant increase in research productivity.
• Establishing clear, achievable goals and providing research support tools were key factors in the program's success.
• The findings support the value of structured research programs for academic residents in Canada.