Assessing research competency development in Canadian psychiatry residency programs: A systematic review and future directions

Abstract

Objective: We aimed to conduct a systematic review to identify curricular and educational interventions to build research competency among Canadian psychiatry residents and fellows transitioning to the competency-by-design framework. Methods: The PRISMA guidelines were followed, searching five databases from their inception to February 2023 for relevant evaluation-type studies exploring research competency among psychiatry residents and fellows. We appraised thestudy’s quality using the Joanna Briggs Institute’s risk of bias tool for observational designs. Results: Overall, 36 original articles met our inclusion criteria. Surveys ( n = 10) showed that participation in scholarly research, quality improvement, or educational projects relevant to psychiatry is needed in most residency programs. However, these vary significantly across programs; few need direct research experience for residency completion. The interventions spanned four categories: externally funded comprehensive research training programs ( n = 5); resident research tracks ( n = 11); workshops and seminars ( n = 7); and specific modules ( n = 3). Reported outcomes included overall program ratings, research output, and career trajectory. The quality of most studies was low because of the lack of controls or validated metrics for evaluating outcomes. Conclusions: While many studies have explored best practices in research curricula, the current literature does not inform competency-based models for Canadian psychiatry residency programs incorporating research training requirements. Further description is needed from Canadian psychiatric training bodies regarding appropriate curricula, milestones, and metrics for evaluating research competencies.