The involvement, barriers, and constraints of resident doctors in research: a web-based cross-sectional study

Abstract

Background: Evidence-based medicine is highly dependent on research with the primary objective of improvement in health outcomes.  Results obtained from quality research form the basis of sound healthcare policies and good clinical practice. Resident doctors are  budding highly skilled medical professionals who are future researchers and trainers of undergraduates and postgraduate medical  practitioners. Therefore, they need a good research background, sound understanding of research principles, and mentors who can guide them through the basics of research and publications.

Methodology: The study was a web-based descriptive cross-sectional study conducted between April and June 2024 among 146 resident  doctors who had spent at least one year in postgraduate training. Data was collected via a self-administered equestionnaire and data  analysis was done using SPSS version 27 statistical package. The statistical signiicance level was set at p=0.05.

Results: Respondents'  attitude to research was generally good with the majority of them stating that research was vital to their discipline (100%) as well as a  critical tool in medical research (97.3%) however, most of them (89%) ind research very challenging. About two-thirds (64.4%) have been  involved in research during residency training while only 35.6% of respondents have a research mentor. Inadequate research funding  and lack of research mentorship were the commonest barriers. There was no signiicant gender difference in the involvement and  constraints in research.

Conclusion: Research-related practices are still poor among resident doctors and we recommend improved  research training and funding, grantsmanship training, and proper mentorship for resident Doctors.