RESUMO
OBJECTIVE: This study searches for association between the subject of medical students' required research projects and subsequent choices of residency, focusing specifically on women's 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 women's health related. Although overall there was no significant relationship between the research project and residency choice, students who completed a women's health care project were nearly twice (1.8, 95% CI, 1.4-2.3) as likely to enter a women's health (obstetrics and gynecology or family medicine) residency than those who did not. CONCLUSION: An association exists between student participation in women's health research beginning during preclinical years and the subsequent choice of a women's health residency.