Resident perception of a research excellence award in a plastic surgery training program: a pilot survey study and novel scoring model

Background Engagement with research can strengthen the academic development of residents by enhancing their ability to critically appraise literature, interpret evidence, and contribute to the advancement of clinical knowledge. However, surgical residents are often burdened with clinical demands that limit their scholarly engagement. Incentive-based recognition programs are frequently proposed to encourage research productivity, but their efficacy in surgical residency programs remains poorly studied. This study aimed to evaluate residents’ perceptions of a Research Excellence Award across several key domains. Methods A cross-sectional survey was conducted among plastic surgery residents. Participants from each postgraduate year (PGY-1 to PGY-7) were invited to participate. Three main domains—(1) Motivation and Behavioral Impact, (2) Mental Perception and Research Culture, and (3) Sustainability and Career Impact—were assessed using a questionnaire, with responses recorded using a five-point Likert scale. Statistical analyses were conducted to summarize the results and assess associations. Results Nine participants representing all the training levels were included in the study. Overall, participants had a positive perception of the award, as the majority reported that it increased their motivation to initiate and complete research projects. Senior residents had higher mean scores across all domains compared with junior residents. Conclusions The findings of this study suggest that Research Excellence Award have a positive impact on residents’ research motivation, perception, and scholarly behavior, which may encourage sustained scholarly development. Level of Evidence: not gradable.