Pediatric directors' perception of clinical research education in Japan

Abstract

Background Pediatric clinical research in Japan has declined recently, and a new policy requiring manuscripts of residents for the pediatric board examination was established in 2017. However, pediatric faculties appear to be confused about research education in residencies. Methods Questionnaires on research activities in residencies were distributed during the spring of 2018 to 500 pediatric directors in all educational hospitals in Japan. We collected data and performed statistical analyses: principal component analysis, multivariate analysis of variance, and multiple comparisons. Results We received 252 (50.4%) responses and analyzed 243 (61 academic hospitals, 27 children's hospitals, 151 community hospitals, and 4 unknown). About 137 (56.4%) of them supported the new policy. There were three main contentious points on attitudes to pediatric research among respondents: passion for research, particularity about disease research, and public spirit. There was a difference in passion for research between academics and non-academics. A difference in pride in particular research was observed between PhDs and MDs. Differences in public spirit were not associated with scholarly degrees or hospital type. Conclusions To promote research education in residencies, pediatric faculties should confirm and share the aim that pediatricians should be scientific physicians with a research mentality developed through research activities and should notice social problems. Through research education, pediatric residents could approach the five outcomes for pediatricians provided by the Japan Pediatric Society: being general physicians, child healthcare supporters, advocates for children, scholars, and professionals.