Engagement in research during specialist geriatric medicine training: results of a national trainee survey

Abstract

Meaningful ageing research across the UK is dependent on a network of engaged geriatricians. The research in geriatric specialty training (RGST) survey aimed to establish current research opportunities available to geriatric medicine specialty trainees in the UK. The RGST survey was disseminated to UK higher specialist trainees in geriatric medicine in 2019 via the Geriatric Medicine Research Collaborative network. Among the 36.9% (192/521) of respondents, 44% (83/188) reported previous research involvement and 7% (n=8) held a PhD or MD. Of the respondents with no research experience to date, 59.0% (n=49) reported a desire to undertake a period of research. One-third (31%) of geriatric registrars surveyed felt that they had gained sufficient research experience during their training. Perceived encouragement and support to undertake research was low (30.7%). Enablers and barriers to research engagement were identified. Research opportunity and engagement in geriatric medicine training is lacking. This could jeopardise the future workforce of research-active geriatricians in the UK and limit patient access to emerging research and innovation. Interventions to promote research engagement among geriatric medicine trainees are needed to facilitate integration of research into routine clinical practice to improve the health and care of older people.