Bridging the Research Gap: How Applicants to Family Medicine Residencies Compare With Other Specialties
Year: 2025
Type: article
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: Introduction: Family medicine contributes less scholarship and receives much less grant money than other specialties. Understanding when and how this disparity begins is a key step in addressing the gap in family medicine scholarship. Methods: (2016-2024) to compare family medicine applicants with applicants to other specialties (ie, internal medicine, pediatrics, and all specialties combined). We examined the mean number of research experiences and the number of presentations and publications applicants had completed prior to starting residency. Additionally, we analyzed NRMP surveys to evaluate the weight applicants placed on institutional research support when choosing a residency program and the weight program directors placed on applicants' research experience. Results: Family medicine applicants consistently reported fewer research experiences and presentations/publications than applicants to internal medicine, pediatrics, and all specialties combined. Osteopathic applicants showed the lowest research participation across all specialties we compared. Among other specialties, family medicine applicants placed less importance on programs' research support, and family medicine residency program directors were less likely to consider research involvement when selecting applicants. Conclusions: Our results suggest that family medicine's underrepresentation in research begins during the residency application process or sooner. Increased involvement in family medicine research among medical students should be a key component of strategies for bridging the research gap.
Source: PRiMER
Institutions: Mayo Clinic Health System, Mayo Clinic
Language: English
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
SDG: Reduced inequalities
Open Access status: diamond
OpenAlex ID: W4415522100
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