Resident Doctors' Perceptions of and Barriers to Health Research Participation at a Tertiary Hospital in Bayelsa State, Nigeria: A Cross-sectional Study
Background: Research is fundamental and indispensable to the advancement of medicine and health. Global reports reveal a significant global divide, with developing countries having much lower health research outputs. This limits healthcare advancement and innovation. This study explored the perception and barriers to research participation among resident doctors in the Federal Medical Centre, Bayelsa. Nigeria. Methods: A cross-sectional study of 80 resident doctors undergoing residency training was conducted. A validated tool, including an 18-item Likert scale tool and semi-structured questions that explored perceptions and barriers to health research participation was used to obtain information. Findings were summarized using tables and charts. Results: Mean age was 37.59 years (+4.56). Most resident doctors 71(88.8%) felt that Health research improves the resident doctor’s critical appraisal skills. 40(50.0%) perceived Health research as difficult, and 55 (68.7%) felt Publication of research is frustrating. Across the research stages, the most difficult areas identified were Data analyses and interpretation 19 (23.8%). Only 1(1.3%) resident doctor had ever received a grant; two-thirds 53(66.2%) did not have a research mentor. The most common obstacles to research practice were lack of money 62 (77.5%), insufficient time 56 (70.5%) and limited availability of research mentors 52 (65.5%). Conclusion: Resident doctors generally value health research but face significant practical barriers like insufficient time, lack of technical training, and inadequate funding that limit engagement despite positive attitudes. This gap between perceived value and actual participation reflects structural and institutional shortcomings rather than a lack of motivation of their part. Structured interventions, including dedicated funding, mentorship, adequate research time, and targeted training, are needed to translate favorable attitudes into improved research output among resident doctors.