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Education Research: The challenge of incorporating formal research methodology training in a neurology residency

From the Department of Neurology (E.C.L., M.A.G., R.C.C., H.P.A.), Carver College of Medicine, and the Department of Epidemiology (J.C.T.), College of Public Health, University of Iowa, Iowa City.

Address correspondence and reprint requests to Dr. Enrique C. Leira, Department of Neurology, 2147-RCP, University of Iowa Hospital, 200 Hawkins Drive, Iowa City, IA 52242 enrique-leira{at}uiowa.edu

Background: Physicians often do not have good understanding of research methodology. Unfortunately, the mechanism to achieve this important competency in a busy neurology residency program remains unclear. We tested the value and degree of acceptance by neurology residents of a multimodal educational intervention that consisted of biweekly teaching sessions in place of an existing journal club, as a way to provide formal training in research and statistical techniques.

Methods: We used a pre- and post-test design with an educational intervention in between using neurology residents at the University of Iowa as subjects. Each test had 40 questions of research methodology. The educational intervention consisted of a biweekly, structured, topic-centered, research methodology-oriented elective seminar following a year-long predefined curriculum. An exit survey was offered to gather resident’s perceptions about the course.

Results: While a majority of residents agreed that the intervention enhanced their knowledge of research methodology, only 23% attended more than 40% of the sessions. There was no difference between pretest and post-test scores (p = 0.40).

Conclusions: Our experience suggests that, in order to accomplish the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education goals regarding increasing competency of residents in knowledge about research methodology, a major restructuring in the neurology residency curriculum with more intense formal training would be necessary.

Funded in part by NIH 5K12RR017700-04 (Mentored Clinical Research Scholar Program at Iowa) to Enrique C. Leira, MD, MS (PI Allyn Mark, MD).

Disclosure: The authors report no disclosures.