Factors influencing involvement in research and career choice: a survey of graduating physical medicine and rehabilitation residents.

Abstract

To assess the extent to which physical medicine and rehabilitation (PM&R) residents' involvement in research and selection of postgraduate practice may be related to residency program research requirements and support for presentations. Internet-based survey. Anonymous access to Web form. PM&R residents graduating in June 2004 and 2005. Not applicable. Involvement in research, postgraduate practice setting and planned research effort, residency research requirement, and support for scientific presentations. One hundred sixty (24%) of the 657 graduating residents, representing 25 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico, responded. Eighty-five percent indicated research involvement, with 74% reporting a research requirement and 85% residency program financial support for presentations. On average, respondents planned to devote 7% (95% confidence interval, 5%-9%) of their time to research once in practice. There was a statistically significant association between the existence of a research requirement and involvement in research (P < .001). However, there was no evidence of a statistically significant association between either the existence of a research requirement or presentation support and the selection of an academic career. There were no significant regional disparities for the existence of a research requirement, travel support, or number of presentations. However, there was a statistically significant regional difference in the proportion of postgraduate practice time that the respondents planned to devote to research. A requirement for PM&R residents to be involved in research may influence research activity during residency but may not be associated with selection of an academic or research-oriented practice.