The number of adult and child and adolescent psychiatrist-researchers does not seem to be keeping pace with the needs and opportunities that exist in brain and behavioral medicine. An IOM committee conducted a broad review of the state of patient-oriented research training in the context of the psychiatric residency, and considered the obstacles to such training and strategies for overcoming those obstacles. Careful consideration was given to the demands of clinical training.

The committee concluded that barriers to research training span three categories: regulatory, institutional, and personal factors. Recommendations to address these issues are presented in the committee's report including recommendations calling for research literacy requirements and research training curricula tailored to psychiatric residency programs of various sizes.

 The role of senior investigators and departmental leadership is emphasized in the report as is the importance of longitudinal training (e.g., from medical school through residency and fellowship). As there appears to be great interest among numerous stakeholders, and a need for better tracking data, an overarching recommendation calls for the establishment of a national body to coordinate and evaluate research training progress in psychiatry.