Factors Affecting Research Productivity of Trauma Surgeons

Abstract

This study aimed to identify factors that promote and impede research participation and productivity by Eastern Association for the Surgery of Trauma (EAST) surgeons. In addition, the study aimed to determine what changes can be implemented by surgical departments to improve this research productivity and granting. A 25-question anonymous research survey tool was offered to EAST surgeons. The questions analyzed factors including demographics, career accomplishments, current institution type, educational/research background, perceived barriers to research, and current research productivity, including grants. Chi-square tests were used to analyze significance at P < 0.05. The overall response rate was 26.2 per cent (445/1699). Most respondents reported not having any protected research time (86.3%), and no research resources were provided by their institution (78.7%). Factors that were significantly associated with greater research productivity included protected research time (P < 0.0001), having a mentor (P < 0.001), practicing in a university-affiliated hospital (P < 0.0001), publication(s) before completing residency training (P = 0.02), having institutional resources dedicated to research (P = 0.015), and male gender (P = 0.003). Age, race, marital status, and additional educational qualifications were not associated with statistically significant differences in research productivity in this study (P > 0.05). EAST surgeons are more likely to have scholarly productivity if they are supported with protected time, mentors, nonclinical staff dedicated to research, a history of research before completion of residency, and research resources from their institution. Barriers to research productivity include lack of institutional support, lack of protected research time, and increased regulatory policies.