Impact of a residency research program on research activity, faculty involvement, and institutional cost

Background: The impact of residency research programs on resident research activity, faculty involvement, and institutional cost has not been well described. Description: A strategy to increase resident research activity was implemented in a community-based internal medicine residency-program. Strategy components included a resident research director a research elective, cost reimbursement, and a research requirement. Associated outcomes of research activity, faculty involvement, and institutional cost are described. Evaluation: The annual number of research submissions increased from 0 to 39 over 6 years. The greatest increase in number of research submissions was seen following the dual implementation of the cost reimbursement and research requirement interventions. The annual number of faculty coauthors rose from 0 to 24 in 6 years. Average cost per accepted project was $1,023.00. Conclusion: The strategy described was associated with a marked increase in resident research activity and faculty involvement. The cost of supporting resident re-If search activity is significant.