Diagnostic radiology residents report limited time, interest and mentor opportunities as barriers to research, according to a new study published in the Canadian Association of Radiologists Journal.
“A recent consensus report published by Canadian, U.K., and US radiologists noted that radiology has fallen behind other specialties when it comes to research participation and publication,” wrote lead author Kate Hames, MD, PhD, of McMaster University in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada, and colleagues. “Lack of departmental support, the view of radiology as a mere service provider, disrespect of radiology by other investigators and clinicians, and an increasing work load with decreasing time away from clinical duties are all key factors limiting successful research in radiology.”
The researchers sent an online survey to all 16 radiology program directors in Canada to be forwarded to their residents. It consisted of 14 questions related to resident demographics, previous research experience and publication of resident research projects. The survey also included questions relating to perceived barriers to conducting research.
The directors were asked to report the total number of residents in their programs, number of postgraduate year (PGY) 2-5 residents, and the gender composition of those residents.
In all, 88 radiology resident responded. The researchers found 67 percent of residents said time, 32 percent said a lack of interest and 32 percent said inadequate mentorship were the three major factors that limit research. Additional barriers included a lack of research training and insufficient professional and financial support.
About 44 percent of respondents stated their residency program provided dedicated research training, while 40 percent said they received no formal research training.
Sixty-one percent of respondents said studying demands were a time constraint, while 52 percen and 38 percent cited on-call demands and daily clinical duties, respectively.
Approximately 63 percent of respondents said their residency program provided protected research time, while 21 percent did not know whether their program did.
“Implementing dedicated research blocks of a minimum of one month, with the option of three months depending on the project, may substantially improve radiology research productivity in Canadian programs,” the researchers wrote.
Even if the residents were able to overcome external barriers, lacking interest remained a significant hurdle.
“The relatively low response rate to this study in particular may in part be a reflection of the lack of interest in the subject,” Hames et al. wrote. “To overcome this particular obstacle, scholars advocate for a culture shift in radiology departments in which research is encouraged and recognized at both the resident and faculty levels.”
The authors suggested supporting and rewarding faculty research. Additionally, they advocated for research collaboration between faculty in other clinical departments to foster a culture of research.
“As the future of radiology depends on its current residents and ongoing research in the field, a strong mentorship program, dedicated research training, program support, and dedicated time for research may all contribute to a more enthusiastic and fruitful research culture in radiology,” the researchers concluded.
As a senior news writer for TriMed, Subrata covers cardiology, clinical innovation and healthcare business. She has a master’s degree in communication management and 12 years of experience in journalism and public relations.