Barriers to research productivity amongst postgraduate trainees: results from a survey of 333 medical and surgical residents

Abstract

Purpose: We aimed to determine the perceptions of, barriers to, and predictors of research engagement amongst residents at a national level in Pakistan. Methods: This cross-sectional study used REDCap for online survey dissemination to residents from 12 institutes accredited by the national accreditation body (College of Physicians and Surgeons Pakistan) for core medical and surgical specialties. Logistic regression was used to estimate associations between likelihood of publications and participant characteristics. Results: The response rate was 79% (333/423), with 171 (51%) medical and 162 (49%) surgical residents. The mean ± standard deviation age was 28.8 ± 2.7 years; 137 (41%) were males and 195 (59%) females. More than half the residents, 202 (61%), had received research training, but 189 (57%) scored <33% on basic research knowledge. While most residents agreed on the positive impact of research on their careers (P =. 012) and realized that they should be involved in it (P =. 33), they also strongly believed that it was difficult to engage in research during training (P