What are some simple and feasible research project ideas for a pediatric resident to investigate the effectiveness of interventions or treatments in a pediatric population?

Research Project Ideas for Pediatric Residents

Pediatric residents should focus on quality improvement (QI) projects that address common clinical problems in their practice setting, as these are feasible, practical, and have the highest likelihood of completion and publication. 1, 2

Most Feasible Project Types

Quality Improvement Studies

• QI projects examining implementation of evidence-based interventions are ideal for residents because they can be completed within training timelines, require fewer resources than traditional research, and address real clinical gaps 2
• Focus on process measures (adherence to guidelines, screening rates) and clinical outcomes (readmission rates, complication rates) that can be tracked through existing medical records 2
• Consider joining multi-center QI networks to increase sample size and enhance publishability, as single-site studies often lack statistical power 2

Office-Based Prevention Programs

• Screening and intervention projects during routine well-child visits are highly feasible because they leverage existing patient encounters and require minimal additional resources 1, 3
• The SEEK (Safe Environment for Every Kid) model demonstrated that residents can successfully screen for risk factors (parental depression, substance abuse, domestic violence) and implement brief interventions during continuity clinic 1, 3
• Projects examining implementation of anticipatory guidance programs (crying management, injury prevention, developmental screening) can be completed within 6-12 months 1

Specific High-Yield Topics

Child maltreatment prevention interventions:

• Implementing standardized screening tools for family risk factors during well-child visits 1, 3
• Testing brief educational interventions about infant crying and shaken baby syndrome prevention 1
• Measuring impact on harsh punishment practices using validated parent-report scales 3

Chronic disease management:

• Adherence to treatment protocols for asthma, diabetes, or obesity in your clinic population 1
• Implementation of lifestyle modification counseling (screen time reduction, physical activity promotion) with measurement of behavior change 1
• Testing reminder systems or care coordination interventions to reduce missed appointments and improve medication adherence 1

Preventive care delivery:

• Immunization rate improvement projects using chart audits and reminder/recall systems 3
• Developmental screening implementation with linkage to early intervention services 1
• Tobacco exposure screening and cessation counseling for parents during pediatric visits 4

Critical Success Factors

Methodological Considerations

• Include a control or comparison group whenever possible (even historical controls or alternating clinic days) to strengthen causal inference 2, 3
• Use validated measurement tools rather than creating new instruments to ensure reliability 1, 2
• Plan for adequate sample size by extending enrollment period or collaborating across clinic sites 2
• Collect baseline data before implementing interventions to demonstrate change over time 3

Practical Implementation Strategies

• Collaborate with research methodologists or faculty mentors from the start to ensure appropriate study design and avoid common pitfalls 2
• Embed data collection into existing clinical workflows rather than creating parallel systems 1, 3
• Utilize existing electronic health record data when possible to minimize manual chart review 2
• Secure institutional support and protected time for the project, as lack of time is the primary barrier to completion 2

Enhancing Publishability

• Choose outcomes that matter clinically (morbidity, mortality, quality of life, healthcare utilization) rather than just process measures alone 2
• Document contextual factors (clinic characteristics, patient population, implementation challenges) that influence intervention success 1
• Plan for 12-24 month follow-up when feasible to demonstrate sustainability of effects 1
• Consider qualitative interviews with stakeholders (parents, staff) to understand barriers and facilitators to implementation 1

Common Pitfalls to Avoid

• Choosing overly ambitious projects that require resources, time, or sample sizes beyond what is feasible during residency 2
• Failing to obtain IRB approval early in the planning process, which can delay project start 2
• Neglecting to establish clear inclusion/exclusion criteria and standardized intervention protocols before beginning 2
• Attempting to study rare conditions or outcomes that would require prohibitively large sample sizes 1, 2
• Implementing multiple simultaneous interventions without ability to determine which components are effective 1
• Collecting data without a clear analysis plan or statistical consultation 2

Institutional Support Structures

• Residency research requirement programs significantly increase publication rates when they provide dedicated mentorship, protected time, and structured support 5
• Collaboration between residents increases both project completion and publication success 5
• Residents who complete research projects during training are more likely to pursue fellowship and continue scholarly work 5