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Growing Our Own: A Regional Approach to Encourage Psychiatric Residents to Enter Research

Received February 26, 2007; revised May 31 and July 18, 2007; accepted July 25, 2007. Dr. Kunik is affiliated with the Menninger Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, and Department of Medicine, at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, Tex.; Dr. Kunik and Ms. Hudson are affiliated with the Houston Center for Quality of Care and Utilization Studies, Health Services Research and Development Service, Michael E. DeBakey Veterans Affairs Medical Center, in Houston; Drs. Kunik, Kirchner, Sullivan and Ms. Schubert are affiliated with the VA South Central Mental Illness Research, Education, and Clinical Center; Dr. Nasrallah is affiliated with the Department of Psychiatry and the Neuroscience Program at the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine in Cincinnati, Ohio; Drs. Kirchner and Sullivan are affiliated with the Department of Psychiatry at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences in Little Rock, Ark., and Dr. Sullivan is affiliated with the RAND Gulf States Policy Institute. Address correspondence to Mark E. Kunik , M.D., M.P.H., Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Science, Baylor College of Medicine, MEDVAMC, 2002 Holcombe (152), Houston, TX 77030; mkunik{at}bcm.tmc.edu (e-mail).

OBJECTIVE: This article describes a regional program developed by the Department of Veterans Affairs South Central Mental Illness Research, Education and Clinical Center for training psychiatry residents in research and attracting them to academic careers. METHODS: The authors describe a low-cost, innovative program developed to increase the number of psychiatry residents entering postresidency research training fellowships by providing them with mentorship and exposure to seasoned researchers, didactic coursework, and a stipend to cover academic expenses. RESULTS: Over the first 4 years, the program has generated enthusiastic participation among postgraduate year 3 (PGY-3) residents, with a high percentage of underrepresented ethnic minorities and women. Products include publication of four first-authored and two coauthored manuscripts, one first-authored abstract, submission of six additional papers, 28 academic presentations and development of research projects. Half of graduating awardees have gone on to pursue research careers. CONCLUSION: Our regional approach provides sufficient academic expertise to make residency training feasible in a cost-effective manner.

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