Research activities and perspectives of individuals completing a research enrichment program for physiatrists.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the research activity and perspectives, and the predictors and barriers to research activity, in a cohort of individuals completing a research enrichment program for physiatrists.


METHODS
A retrospective cohort study design was utilized. Data collection was accomplished with a mailed survey, which was sent to 68 individuals who had completed the Research Enrichment Program for Physiatrists between 1991 and 1998. Data analysis was performed using both descriptive and inferential statistical methods.


RESULTS
Eighty-five percent (58 of 68) of surveys were completed and returned. The majority of respondents were in academic-based practice (83%) at the assistant professor level (59%). Sixty-nine percent of the group reported spending no time in research, and 64% reported having no "protected" time for research. The mean number of peer-reviewed journal publications was 2.4, and the average number of research grants was 1.6, with 57% of the cohort reporting no grant funding. Departmental PhD, statistical, and secretarial support for research were all noted to be inadequate or not available for >50% of the cohort. High demand for clinical productivity, lack of protected research time, and lack of research funding were all identified as major barriers to research activity. Cluster analysis found greater research time and support to be associated with measures of research productivity.


CONCLUSIONS
Long-term research success seems to require ongoing support, funding, and mentorship at the departmental and institutional level. Despite adequate training and motivation for research, research support was perceived as inadequate for many Research Enrichment Program graduates.
Webster
Joseph B
JB
Brody School of Medicine/East Carolina University, Greenville, North Carolina, USA.
Parker
Jerry C
JC
Moore
Daniel P
DP
Johnson
Jane C
JC
D035843:Biomedical Research; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003625:Data Collection / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010506:Periodicals as Topic; D010810:Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012109:Research Support as Topic / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012189:Retrospective Studies