Research in pediatric residency programs.

Abstract

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: We have required residents in pediatrics at the Cleveland Clinic Foundation to give research presentations since 1989; this article reviews our experience with this program. Additionally, we sought to determine how many other accredited pediatric programs in the United States also require this. METHODS: Retrospective review of the Cleveland Clinic program; descriptive statistics of other United States residency programs, obtained by questionnaire. RESULTS: Pediatric residents at the Cleveland Clinic have given 108 research presentations since 1989, and have developed 33 (30.5%) of them into manuscripts or abstracts. We mailed questionnaires to 215 pediatric residency program directors and received responses from 177 (82%). Of these, 48 (27%) indicated their programs had a research requirement; residents could present their findings in departmental meetings or submit an abstract or manuscript to a professional society or journal. Respondents cited several barriers to research: residents are too busy, there are too few faculty members to mentor them, financial resources are limited, and there is no residency review committee requirement. CONCLUSIONS: Even though only approximately one fourth of the pediatric residency programs in the United States require research, we feel it is worthwhile experience. Despite barriers, residents can and do perform research and publish their findings.