Perceived barriers to research productivity among medical residents in Angola: an exploratory cross-sectional study

Abstract

Research engagement during postgraduate medical training develops critical appraisal, data analysis, and scientific writing skills and supports locally relevant knowledge production. Evidence from sub-Saharan Africa indicates that research expectations during training are often undermined by limited infrastructure, mentorship, and protected time. This study described the research profile of resident physicians in Angola, identified perceived barriers to research productivity, and characterized the incentives considered most useful. We conducted an exploratory cross-sectional online survey of resident physicians in active specialty training in Angola in July 2026. Data covered sociodemographic characteristics, research training and experience, mentorship, institutional support, 15 Likert-scale barrier items, publication incentives, and open-ended responses. Descriptive statistics and exploratory bivariate analyses with odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals were used. Of 85 responses, 84 were analyzed. Mean age was 33.2 years (SD 5.6); 52.4% were female. Although 54.8% reported formal methodological training and 82.1% intended to submit a manuscript within 12 months, only 11.9% had a previous publication and 33.3% were engaged in a current project. The most endorsed barriers were the perception that protected time and mentorship would increase participation (69.0%), difficulty with biostatistics and data analysis (60.7%), and difficulty with scientific writing (57.1%). The most valued incentives were methodological training (82.1%), mentorship (66.7%), and statistical support (61.9%). Current project participation was associated with receiving feedback, high research interest, previous project participation, and conference presentation; previous publication was associated with previous project participation; and intention to submit was associated with residency year 3 or above. Among Angolan residents, research interest and intention substantially exceed actual scholarly output. Strengthening productivity is likely to depend less on appeals to individual motivation and more on institutional support, including mentorship, applied methodological training, statistical support, and protected time.