What’s Holding Radiology Research Back?

Although research is critical to promoting innovation in radiology, across North America the specialty has struggled to maintain a strong level of academic participation. The Canadian Association of Radiologists Journal published a recent study from McMaster University that has pinpointed the factors that have deterred radiologists from engaging and conducting sufficient research.

Radiology residents face numerous barriers when it comes to completing research, including lack of mentorship, time constraints, “personal disinterest, lack of program support, and little to no training in design and statistical analysis,” according to the study authors.

The group of researchers led by Kate Hames, MD, PhD, asked radiology residents of 13 Canadian radiology programs to fill out an anonymous online survey about their perceived challenges in conducting research and their time commitments. A total of 352 residents responded to the survey. The responses demonstrated a variety of reasons that contribute to lack of resident research. Sixty-seven percent of participants indicated that time was a barrier in conducting research, 32 percent cited lack of interest, and the same figure attributed inadequate mentorship to their research struggles.

Successful research requires set blocks of time dedicated to pursuing specific tasks. Overall, the residents advocated for a minimum of one month of scheduled research time in order to sufficiently complete a research project. The study authors also recommend that radiology departments implement a mentorship program so that residents can receive structure and guidance for their specific research interests.

“If radiology is to continue to grow and evolve, the future success of the specialty depends on ongoing research, which in turn depends on individual faculty members dedicated to the education and mentorship of radiology’s future leaders,” wrote the authors.