Scholarly Curriculum at a Psychiatry Residency Program in Canada: 10-Year Outcomes

For research in medicine to address needed interventions and produce outcomes relevant to patient care, it is important for physicians to gain hands-on experience in scientific methods during their training. However, the results of recent studies in the United States and Canada indicate low interest in research among residents.

In 2011, involvement in a scholarly activity was made mandatory for all residents joining the Western University psychiatry residency program (WUPRP). A faculty member was appointed as a research coordinator who collaborated with research-intensive faculty members and prepared a list of potential projects suitable for resident involvement; organized monthly research meetings to support residents in initiating scholarly activities, monitor their progress, and address challenges; and developed competency-based research objectives, guidelines, and assessment tool.

Data on all residents enrolled at WUPRP from 2011 to 2017 (the latter graduated in 2022 with completed scholarly requirements) were analyzed with respect to residents' participation in a scholarly project. A total of 54 residents were enrolled during this period. Fifty-two (96%) residents were involved in a scholarly project; of these 52, 38 (73%) completed their project. Of these 38, 32 (84%) had academic achievements, which include poster and oral presentations at a conference, publications, and prizes and awards. Of the 52 residents involved in a scholarly project, 14 (27%) residents could not complete their projects, though they still met scholarly activity requirements and 1 (2%) enrolled in the Western University Clinician Investigator Program with the goal of pursuing research as a career.

There is a lack of data on how many WUPRP graduates from 2011 to 2017 are currently pursuing careers in research. The authors plan to perform longer and closer follow-up of residents to evaluate whether a scholarly curriculum makes an impact on residents' career choices.