A Biweekly Gynecologic Oncology Research Workgroup Increases Resident Research Productivity

Melissa Brackmann, MD; Shitanshu Uppal, MBBS; R Kevin Reynolds, MD; Karen McLean, MD, PhDDepartment of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Division of Gynecologic Oncology, University of Michigan

Background Methods

Objectives Results Future Directions

• Continue gauging productivity• Assess fellow involvement in

research activities and fellow collaboration with residents

• Expand work group outreach to involve more residents and faculty from other divisions

• >65% of papers/abstracts involved resident contribution as first or second author

• Research workgroup improved the Gynecologic Oncology division’s overall research productivity

• Resident involvement increased in all aspects of Gynecologic Oncology research

The Gynecologic Oncology Division’s academic productivity was queried for 27 months before and after workgroup initiation, with particular attention to level of resident involvement.

To evaluate the effectiveness of instituting a biweekly research workgroup to increase resident involvement in Gynecologic Oncology research in specific productive outcomes:1. IRB submissions2. Presentations at regional and

national meetings3. Manuscript submissions

Nearly all OBGYN residency programs require resident research, yet teaching/mentoring of the required skills are often lacking.1 Nationally, residents report a suboptimal environment for promoting research and often do not feel comfortable in their research skills at the completion of residency.2 Formal mentoring programs have been shown to increase resident research productivity.3

Before After

IRB Submissions

2/5(40%)

3/6(50%)

AbstractsAccepted

0/2(0%)

9/15 (60%)

Manuscripts Submitted

1/5(20%)

6/7(86%)

Benefits of Workgroup

• Research teaching from attending physicians

• Resident-faculty interactions• Face to face collaboration• Mentorship• Accountability

The Barriers

Time constraints

Difficult idea initiation

Low motivation

• Lack of structure• Limited availability

• Unfamiliar process• Lack of resources

• Lack of outcomes• Low accountability

1. Kenton and Brubaker. Research education in obstetrics and gynecology: how are we doing? American journal of obstetrics and gynecology 2007;197:532 e1-4.

2. Oakley et al. Attitudes and compliance with research requirements in OB/GYN residencies: a national survey. Gynecologic and obstetric investigation 2013;75:275-80.

3. Ogunyemi at el. Promoting residents' professional development and academic productivity using a structured faculty mentoring program. Teaching and learning in medicine 2010;22:93-6.

Workgroup Structure

Started in August 2013

Every other Wednesday,

6-8 pm with dinner

OBGYN residents, fellows, faculty

Plan research ideas

Review study protocols

Collaborate on IRB submissions

Editorial feedback on abstracts/manuscripts

Oral presentation rehearsal/review

Collegial environment

References

Conclusion: Our Gynecologic Oncology Research Workgrouphas significantly increased resident research productivity, including manuscripts and national meeting presentations.