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. 2008 Feb;23(2):122-8.
doi: 10.1007/s11606-007-0397-8. Epub 2007 Oct 6.

Effectiveness of a 1-year resident training program in clinical research: a controlled before-and-after study

Bernd Löwe  1 , Mechthild Hartmann, Beate Wild, Christoph Nikendei, Kurt Kroenke, Dorothea Niehoff, Peter Henningsen, Stephan Zipfel, Wolfgang Herzog
Affiliations

Effectiveness of a 1-year resident training program in clinical research: a controlled before-and-after study

Bernd Löwe et al. J Gen Intern Med. 2008 Feb.

Abstract

Background: To increase the number of clinician scientists and to improve research skills, a number of clinical research training programs have been recently established. However, controlled studies assessing their effectiveness are lacking.

Objective: To investigate the effectiveness of a 1-year resident training program in clinical research.

Design: Controlled before-and-after study. The training program included a weekly class in clinical research methods, completion of a research project, and mentorship.

Participants: Intervention subjects were 15 residents participating in the 1-year training program in clinical research. Control subjects were 22 residents not participating in the training program.

Measurements and main results: Assessments were performed at the beginning and end of the program. Outcomes included methodological research knowledge (multiple-choice progress test), self-assessed research competence, progress on publications and grant applications, and evaluation of the program using quantitative and qualitative methods.

Results: Intervention subjects and controls were well matched with respect to research experience (5.1 +/- 2.2 vs 5.6 +/- 5.8 years; p = .69). Methodological knowledge improved significantly more in the intervention group compared to the control group (effect size = 2.5; p < .001). Similarly, self-assessed research competence increased significantly more in the intervention group (effect size = 1.1; p = .01). At the end of the program, significantly more intervention subjects compared to controls were currently writing journal articles (87% vs 36%; p = .003). The intervention subjects evaluated the training program as highly valuable for becoming independent researchers.

Conclusions: A 1-year training program in clinical research can substantially increase research knowledge and productivity. The program design makes it feasible to implement in other academic settings.

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