A Psychometric Analysis of Research Perceptions in Osteopathic Medical Education

Background: Evidence-based medical practice demands that physicians acquire proficiency in research methods. This study psychometrically evaluates the construct of research perceptions of osteopathic medical students, interns, and residents (trainees) to inform research curricula goals. Methods: Using focus groups and literature reviews, preliminary survey items were developed, and administered as a survey to obtain a set of research perceptions construct items. The resulting items were cross examined by experts for content validity. Factor analysis and multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA) were used. Results: A final structure of research perceptions construct has 19 items, reliability.840, and three key domains: (1) research needs/attitudes, (2) research climate, and (3) research skills. Statistically significant difference in the domain mean summative scores between students and residents was observed. Conclusion: Osteopathic medical trainees have fairly positive clinical research perceptions despite observed differences in the key research perceptions construct domains. Further exploration and validation of the research perception construct is necessary to ensure that medical research education is evidence-driven, responsive, and targeted in a manner that improves the overall quality of medical education.