Background/Purpose: The exposure to research during residency is curre
ntly an integral part of most academic surgical training programs. In
this study, graduates of two surgical programs were surveyed to charac
terize their research experience and to determine the effects on their
careers. Methods: Between 1975 and 1990, 86 and 61 residents complete
d general surgical training programs at UCLA Medical Center and at Har
bor-UCLA Medical Center, respectively. An anonymous survey was sent to
each graduate regarding his research experience and current practice.
Results: Of the graduates who spent 2 years in research, 47% now hold
academic positions, compared with 23% for those who spent less than 2
years (P = .18). When the graduates were segregated according to thei
r desire to enter the laboratory, 49% of graduates who requested resea
rch time hold academic positions, whereas only 13% of those who would
not request research are in academic positions (P = .01), Conclusions:
Residents who strongly desire a period of research during surgical re
sidency are also more productive in the laboratory. This information s
hould be considered in selecting residents for research training in th
e current era of academic budget restriction and managed health care.
Copyright (C) 1998 by W.B. Saunders Company.