The Role of Mandated Research During Dermatology Residency Training
Year: 1999
Type: article
Abstract: To the Editor: Dermatology residents at the University of Miami, Department of Dermatology and Cutaneous Surgery are required to complete a research project as part of their 3 y clinical training. We believe, as do programs in other specialties (Gupta, 1995Gupta G. Graduate Medical Education Directory 1995–96. American Medical Association, Chicago1995Google Scholar;Alquire et al., 1996Alquire P.C. Anderson W.A. Albrecht R.R. Poland G.A. Resident research in Internal Medicine training programs.Ann Int Med. 1996; 124: 321-328Crossref Scopus (75) Google Scholar;Schultz, 1996Schultz H.J. Research during Internal Medicine residency training: Meeting the challenge of the residency review committee.Ann Int Med. 1996; 124: 340-342Crossref PubMed Scopus (34) Google Scholar), that research during residency training is a valuable educational tool. Some dermatology programs require residents to publish an article or case report as part of their training (Webb et al., 1996Webb J.M. Rye B. Fox L. et al.State of dermatology training. The residents’ perspective.J Am Acad Dermatol. 1996; 34: 1067-1071Abstract Full Text PDF PubMed Scopus (23) Google Scholar). Each resident must submit a research grant proposal, by November of their first year, to a departmental research committee consisting of four faculty members. This committee assists residents in choosing, developing, and implementing a project and insures it is well formulated. Each resident must choose a mentor or faculty advisor, other research programs found a mentor to be positively associated with research productivity (Mills et al., 1995Mills O.F. Zyzanski S.J. Flocke S. Factors associated with research productivity in family practice residencies.Fam Med. 1995; 27: 188-193PubMed Google Scholar) and suggest that it may be the single most important component of a successful program (Eisenberg, 1986Eisenberg J.M. Cultivating a new field: development of a research program in general internal medicine.J Gen Int Med. 1986; 1: S8-S18Google Scholar;Alquire et al., 1993Alquire P.C. Anderson W.A. Henry R.C. Teaching research skills: development and evaluation of a new research program for residents.Teaching and Learning in Medicine. 1993; 5: 37-43Crossref Scopus (20) Google Scholar). The project may be either human based or laboratory based but should be controlled. Unlike other programs, case reports and literature reviews do not fulfill the research requirement. Initially some residents’ projects are too ambitious or lack appropriate controls. The research committee insures that the residents are on the right path, that their project is scientifically sound and can be completed during their training period, and that costs of completing a study are not unreasonable. Statistical consultation, for example, is a common need for most projects. Funding is provided by the advisor or by a departmental fund devoted to assist resident projects. Projects involving human subjects or material need approval by our Institutional Review Board (IRB). Our department has in place support staff to assist residents with paper work associated with obtaining IRB approval. Residents often defend or discuss the proposal at the IRB meetings, which provide a valuable learning experience. When implementing their projects, residents are encouraged to act independently, although the research committee chairperson meets regularly with the residents. Residents present their plan before initiation as well as reporting interim and final results at our weekly scientific Research Meetings. Final results are presented at several forums including regional or national meetings, at our weekly scientific Research Meetings, and at the Miami Dermatological Society Annual Residents’ and Fellows’ Day. Projects are not completed during any assigned “protected” time as the extent of protected time is often difficult to predict and may disrupt the overall residency schedule. Rather, residents undertake their research by either coming in early or staying late during the week, or alternatively on weekends. One of the goals of the project is to submit a manuscript for publication and the majority of residents publish more than one (4.08 ± 3.41 authorships per resident). Table 1 summarizes the journal these articles were published in. A survey of former residents found that although only a minority “liked” the research requirement during training, more than 50% believed research influenced the way they thought, the way they thought about patients, and how they treated patients, and 90% thought it was a beneficial part of their training (Table 2).Table 1Journal names and number of articles published in each (N = 148) (residents graduating from 1988 to 1995)Journal nameNumber of articlesJournal of the American Academy of Dermatology42Dermatologic Surgery/JDSO18Archives of Dermatology17International Journal of Dermatology8British Journal of Dermatology6Journal of Dermatologic Science6Journal of Investigative Dermatology5Pediatric Dermatology5Journal of Cutaneous Pathology4Others (journals with less than five articles each)37Total148 Open table in a new tab Table 2Responses from resident (graduating years 1988–95); N = 43 (response rate 71%)StatementPercentage of respondents agreeing with statementI was happy to participate in research as a resident45%I am happy to have done research as a resident80%Research in residency changed the way I think about patients50%Research in residency helped me in the way I treat patients50%Research helped me become a critical thinker75%Research during dermatology residency is a beneficial part of training90% Open table in a new tab We believe for select individuals, our research requirement prepares them for an academic career. Of 43 residents graduating from 1988 to 1995, eight became full time academicians, four remain so. For all, it develops their abilities as critical thinkers, and helps them to understand the methods and limitations of the research work upon which many clinical decisions rest. Additionally, they learn the need for proper controls, the importance of reproducibility, the ethical issues important in research, and the vital role of statistics. Beyond reading about science in the Journal Club, the performance of research aids residents’ understanding of research’s benefits and limitations. In the current health care environment, factors such as dermatologic research experience help separate dermatologists from others who care for skin disease. This level of preparation leads to higher quality research, not solely for those who make research a career, but for all dermatologists.
Institution: University of Miami
Language: English
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
SDG: Quality education
Open Access status: hybrid
Estimated APC paid: $3,800
OpenAlex ID: W1574639288