[Associated factors with the completion of research project required to obtain a specialist title in a Peruvian University].

OBJECTIVES: To determine the frequency and associated factors with the completion of research projects done by medical residents.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: A descriptive, retrospective and cross-sectional case series study was performed. The unit of analysis was the graduated medical resident during 2010-2012. The archives of the School of Medicine of the Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia (UPCH) were used. Continuous and categorical variables were summarized in central tendency measures and frequencies, respectively. Factors were considered for medical residents with an approved project and that was or was not completed.

RESULTS: 217 medical residents were included in the sample. 32.7% (71/217) completed their project in the study period. Factors favoring the completion of the project were university of origin, the rate of publications of the advisor, academic year, and duration of residency. In the multivariate analysis, the only two significantly associated factors were having done a thesis during undergraduate studies (OR: 3.41; IC 95%: 1.18-9.79), and having an advisor with an average of ≥2.0 (OR: 3.21; IC 95%: 1.01-12.56) publications per year.

CONCLUSIONS: The completion frequency of the research projects in medical residency of the School of Medicine of the UPCH is associated with whether the medical resident performed a research during his undergraduate studies and has an advisor with a high rate of publications per year.