Attitudes and Opinions of Residency Directors and Residents About the Importance of Research in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Residencies

PurposeThe purpose of this study was to determine the current status of research done by residents in oral and maxillofacial surgery training programs and the attitudes and opinions of the program directors and residents regarding the need and benefits of such activity.Materials and MethodsSeparate questionnaires were developed for program directors and residents. These were sent through the Inquisite System to the 101 program directors in the United States and they were requested to fill them out and to ask their residents to do the same. Forty-four of the program directors (43%) and 277 of the 951 residents responded (29%).ResultsOnly 75% of the program directors indicated that their residents participated in research. The projects generally could be selected by the program director or the resident. Only 36% of the programs provided scheduled research time, and in these programs it was usually 3 months or less. Residents generally believed the scheduled research time was inadequate. Most program directors and residents believed that research experience was important for those considering an academic career but that it was not important for those entering private practice.ConclusionsThe failure of all residency programs to provide actual research experience for their trainees has resulted in a decrease in the contributions that such programs have traditionally made to the literature and the advancement of the speciality. It is important that steps be taken to reverse this trend.