The impact of the MMed research requirement on registrar training and specialist registration in South Africa: An internet e-survey

Nearly half of registrars could not register as specialists when their training was complete, due to non-completion of their MMed research component. All the factors examined were considered to be contributing to non-completion of the MMed by the majority of participants, with the exception of access to good supervision. A structured integrated learning programme, including research methodology, statistics, appraisal of the literature, and scientific writing, should be introduced as an alternative to the requirement for original research, which should no longer be compulsory. Registrars wishing to do original research should be strongly supported.