Research education in obstetrics and gynecology: how are we doing?

Abstract

This study was undertaken to determine how obstetrics and gynecology residency programs are teaching residents about research. Obstetrics and gynecology program directors in the United States and Canada completed a 15-question survey about their current research education programs, their perception of the most important components of resident research education, and how well prepared graduating residents were for a variety of research-related activities. One hundred thirty-two of 213 (62%) program directors completed the survey. Ninety-five percent required residents complete a research project to graduate. Research topics were more commonly taught via journal clubs (84%) and informal apprenticeships (78%). Less than half of the programs provided didactic presentations on clinical trial design and biostatistics (47%) or statistical software (38%). Although nearly all of the sampled obstetrics and gynecology residency programs require resident research projects, most provide limited resources or formal education on clinical research design and biostatistics.