Research curricula in critical care fellowships--A survey

OBJECTIVES: To determine curriculum requirements and educational methods used by Critical Care fellowship training programs in fulfilling Residency Review Committee requirements for a research experience during Critical Care subspecialty training. DATA SOURCE: Responses from 163 (67%) of the 245 directors of accredited Anesthesiology, Medicine, Pediatric, and Surgical Critical Care fellowship training programs listed in the American Medical Association Graduate Medical Education Directory. DATA EXTRACTION: Survey information accepted as valid for each program was tabulated to answer study questions. DATA SYNTHESIS: Most (89%) Critical Care programs with 2- or 3-yr curricula meet Residency Review Committee requirements and provide nonclinical time for research. Only 63% of 1-yr curricula from Anesthesiology and Medicine provide a required research experience. Formal instruction in research topics is provided by lecture, journal club, or research conference in approximately 90% of fellowships. Academic productivity from fellowship programs is high, but not correlated with a program's requirement for research. CONCLUSION: Compliance with current Residency Review Committee requirements for active participation in research is poor for 1-yr fellowship curricula. Reasons for this failure are discussed and a modified requirement is proposed.