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DO ANESTHESIOLOGY RESIDENTS WANT TO BE INVOLVED IN RESEARCH?

Queen’s University, Department of Anesthesiology, Kingston General Hospital, 76 Stuart Street, Kingston, Ontario, K7L 2V7

INTRODUCTION: Controversy continues regarding the role of research activity during residency training.¹ This study was undertaken to assess perceptions and attitudes towards research training in Canadian anesthesiology residency training programs.

METHODS: With institutional approval, a national mail survey was distributed in November 2003 to all 476 anesthesiology residents and 16 program directors.

RESULTS: Descriptive analysis of 171 resident questionnaires was completed, to date. Approximately 60% of residents are involved in a research project, which include case reports, poster presentations, or abstract submission. Despite the finding that 85% of residency programs have mandatory research requirements, 60% of residents feel research should not be a mandatory component of residency training. Program directors indicate a lack of resident and faculty interest in research as the two main impediments to resident participation. However, residents indicate that continuing a project during non-anesthesia rotations is one of the most common institutional barriers (35%). Rationale for lack of research participation provided by the residents includes: lack of interest; the need to learn ‘clinical’ anesthesia; and the time commitment required. The majority of resident (90%) and program director (85%) respondents see the importance of acquiring protected time to undertake a research project and ranked this as somewhat to very influential. Interestingly, 74% of residents suggest alternatives to undertaking a research project. Transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) skills, teaching courses, and administration programs, were cited most often. One third of residents indicate an interest in an academic career, involving research.

DISCUSSION: Is a mandatory research project during residency necessary? Although most programs require residents to undergo an intellectual inquiry of some form, 75% of residents would prefer spending time in an alternate learning endeavor. Currently, residents feel the biggest barrier to research is the lack of time. Many residents feel that it is important to add to the body of anesthesiology knowledge – not necessarily during residency.

REFERENCES:

1 Ann. RCPSC, 26: 283–287

2 Acad. Med, 76: 477

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This Article Full Text (PDF) Submit a scholarly reply Alert me when this article is cited Alert me when eLetters are posted Alert me if a correction is posted Services Similar articles in this journal Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Silcox, L. C Articles by VanDenKerkhof, E. G Search for Related Content PubMed Articles by Silcox, L. C Articles by VanDenKerkhof, E. G