Block to succeed: the Canadian orthopedic resident research experience.(RESEARCH/RECHERCHE)(Report)

Research has become an integral part of residency training across all specialties. In Canada, the CanMEDS initiative dictates the graduate to "contribute to the development, dissemination and translation of new knowledge and practices" as a "Scholar." In the United States, the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) requires every training program to "establish and maintain an environment of inquiry and scholarship" and "an active research component must be included."

There have been a number of survey-based studies investigating the resident research experience. (1-25) Characteristics of research curricula, research productivity and factors affecting productivity have been investigated. (1-24,26) These factors include mentorship, (3,5,7,14,15,18,25,26) presence of a classroom curriculum, (3,5,18,26) program director support, (5,13,23) a designated research director, (5,13,18,23) opportunity to present research, (5,14,18,26) journal clubs (5,16) and protected research time. (5,10,14,18-22,26) However, to our knowledge, reasonable expectations of research productivity during residency have never been reported. No studies have looked specifically at the Canadian orthopedic resident population, with the most published studies being American. (1-13,15-24,26) The only Canadian publications we found were about family medicine and anesthesia residencies. (14,20,25)

Residents as learners

Although programs are placing more emphasis on applicants to the specialty having prior research experience, most residents have limited experience and are expected to learn these skills during residency. Training for orthopedic research should follow the same educational principles as training to achieve clinical orthopedic expertise or master any other skill. This requires motivation and alertness, uninterrupted focus and repetitive practice with feedback. (27,28) Protected block research time, which was the focus of our study, would help residents obtain the educational environment to develop mastery in research.

Knowing that a set amount of time is available for research is encouraging for residents. Time away from clinical duties helps with alertness and provides an opportunity for uninterrupted focus on research. This time can also be dedicated for writing and meetings, and it facilitates practice and feedback on research. Furthermore, uninterrupted time is crucial for initial planning of a project and final manuscript submission.

Research goal and questions

The primary goal of our study was to describe the current state of Canadian orthopedic resident research experience.