Barriers and enablers of James Cook University Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery graduates pursuing a research career.

OBJECTIVE

The period 2000-2011 has seen a decline in medical graduates participating in research. However, significant change has taken place in recent years at the James Cook University (JCU), with a sharp increase in medical graduates enrolling in the Honours course. Our study aims to explore the involvement of JCU medical graduates in research, including 'barriers' and 'enablers' of this involvement.

DESIGN

Cross-sectional questionnaire to the first six cohorts of JCU medical graduates.

SETTING

Survey distributed online via SurveyMonkey to graduates who had previously consented to be contacted for future studies.

PARTICIPANTS

Three hundred thirty-eight early-career doctors from PGY (postgraduate year) 4 to PGY9 (n = 185, response rate = 55%).

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Current research participation.

RESULTS

Fifty-six (30%) of the responding 185 JCU medical graduates were currently undertaking research. Graduates who completed an Honours degree by research (P = 0.001) and students who received some form of research training and mentoring during their undergraduate studies(P = 0.024) were statistically more likely to be currently involved in research. Vocational training requirements were both a significant barrier and enabler to research participation.

CONCLUSIONS

Participation in the Honours program and receiving training and mentoring during undergraduate studies predict future research involvement by JCU medical graduates. However, many postgraduate barriers for involvement in research exist. This study highlights potential areas for improving medical graduate involvement in research, including medical schools promoting student research training and mentoring in their curriculum, and specialty colleges incorporating a research component in their selection or training requirements.