Required research by medical students and their choice of a womenʹs health care residency

Objective This study searches for association between the subject of medical studentsʹ required research projects and subsequent choices of residency, focusing specifically on womenʹs health fields. Study design Students at our school graduating between 1997 and 2004 (n = 535) were required to undertake a research project beginning in the preclinical years. The subject of their required research project was related to their subsequent choice of residency. Results Ninety-nine of the 535 projects (18.5%) were womenʹs health related. Although overall there was no significant relationship between the research project and residency choice, students who completed a womenʹs health care project were nearly twice (1.8, 95% CI, 1.4-2.3) as likely to enter a womenʹs health (obstetrics and gynecology or family medicine) residency than those who did not. Conclusion An association exists between student participation in womenʹs health research beginning during preclinical years and the subsequent choice of a womenʹs health residency.