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

OBJECTIVE: This study was undertaken to determine how obstetrics and gynecology residency programs are teaching residents about research.

STUDY DESIGN: 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.

RESULTS: 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%).

CONCLUSION: 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.