Awareness & Knowledge Regarding Research Skills among Post Graduate Emergency Medicine Doctors in Teaching Hospitals of Kolkata

Abstract

In today’s world, all doctors are required to keep their medical knowledge and training up-to-date. Doctors should provide effective treatments based on the ‘best available evidence’. It is widely accepted that evidence-based medicine has contributed significantly to the practice of medicine and advancement of medical science. Every doctor should strive to contribute to the generation of evidence by conducting research. Objectives of the Study: To assess the awareness and knowledge of research skills among post graduate emergency medicine doctors in teaching hospitals of Kolkata and identify any further scope inculcating research skills of emergency medicine residents leading to contribution in health research. Methodology: It is a multicentre, prospective questionnaire survey among post graduate emergency medicine residents of teaching hospitals in Kolkata. The sample size was 100 done during period of 1 year. Discussion: 60.6% were more than 29 years of age and 32% among 26-28. 60% had prior experience of writing research paper and even then 96% wanted to participate in research methodology workshop. 99% knew that research improves outcomes in patient management and that they require continue guidance and supervision during their thesis projects. Only few were able to complete their research work on time. The major reasons cited for poor research activity in our study were inadequate facilities for research and lack of time. In institutional reasons, we found 54% had found inadequate support from mentors or assistants and 20% cited lack of research curriculum. 51% believe that active participation can be done by MCI/DNB and universities by allocating time for research and making it mandatory. Conclusion: The study population was male predominant and young with majority having the background of research knowledge. Most of the participants however agreed that research methodology workshop was needed to improve their knowledge and in fact should be made compulsory in post graduation courses. 97% felt that specific time should be allotted separately during curriculum planning for research. In conclusion research is the realized need among our study population. Steps should be taken for promotion of research among emergency medicine post graduate residents.