Research training of surgical residents as studied from the Resident's Forum

Participants in the Resident's Forum were surveyed to gain an appreciation of their impression of their research training. The vast majority believed that adequate resources and supervision had been available for their research. The resident generally was the principal investigator, the primary writer of the grant to fund the study, and developed the experimental design. Supervision was usually by a diplomate who took an active role in the project. Projects were funded by several different sources for widely varying amounts. The most common duration of the studies was more than 4 months, and most residents conducted at least one other study during their residency. Ninety per cent stated that the study and its presentation at the Resident's Forum increased their enthusiasm for research, in contrast to the less than one half who, at the start of their residency, were planning on doing research during their career.