Purpose: In this study, we seek to evaluate the impact of implementing this curriculum on research output, overall academic productivity, and pursuit of fellowship.
Background: The Accreditation council for graduate medical education (ACGME) requires that resident physicians participate in scholarly activity. In addition, academic production is one of the measures by which a residency program is evaluated. To improve participation in our department, we instituted a formal research program including curricular elements as well as quarterly work in progress meetings in the 2012-2013 academic year.
Methods: The formal research curriculum included the appointment of two dedicated faculty who run required regularly scheduled meetings, restructuring of elective time, and early mentorship assignment. Research output in the 7 years preceding, and 7 years following implementation was analyzed through accessing department records and PubMed searches. The number of residents pursing fellowship before and after implementation was also assessed. Data were analyzed using the Chi square, independent samples t-tests and simple linear regression.
Results: There were 40 residents in the preimplementation group and 41 residents in the postimplementation group. There was an increase in the number of residents pursing fellowship after implementation, 13 compared to 9, representing a 44% increase (P > 0.05). There were 11 presentations at regional and national meetings in the preimplementation group compared to 22 postimplementation, which represented a 100% increase (P > 0.05). With respect to publications, there was a statistically significant increase in the number of publications before and after, 5 compared to 22 representing a 340% increase (P £ 0.05). Simple regression analysis showed a significantly positive trend in cumulative research output for graduating resident classes in the postimplementation group (β=2.07, 95% CI: [0.46, 3.69], p-value = 0.02).
Discussions: The implementation of a research curriculum has encouraged an overall increase in research productivity. We believe the new curriculum has created a cultural shift in the residency that fosters a renewed excitement and commitment to scholarship in our department. Based on the trends observed, and with continued refinement of the program we anticipate that the quantity and quality of research output will grow.
Topics: CREOG & APGO Annual Meeting, 2022, Resident, Faculty, Residency Director, Systems-Based Practice & Improvement, GME, Assessment, General Ob-Gyn,
Lamia Alamri, MD, Vanderbilt University Medical Center; Melinda New, MD; Celeste Hemingway, MD
