Please remember that a research requirement or even just requiring residents to learn about research is not solely for the production of academic physicians.
IMHO ALL physicians, regardless of specialty or future practice environment benefit from research. If you are so inclined and intend on an academic practice then it makes sense to spend 2 or more years in the lab doing original work and publishing it. If however, you are destined for private practice you would still be wise to spend some time doing research - whether its preparing a case study for publication or just learning the ABCs of Research and Experimental Design and how to read a journal article. Believe me, most residents and attendings are not capable of dissecting journal articles or even press written for the layperson. If your undergraduate education was the norm, I'll bet you spent little time REALLY learning how to do his.
I understand that most people do not enjoy research and outside of the obvious enjoyment of the lab years/months (whatever) of mroe time to sleep, less time/no time on call, more time to exercise (our lab residents look totally buffed!), spent with family, etc., the requirement is NOT designed at most programs to make you an academic physician but rather to learn to use a critical eye when evaluating the tons of literature/lectures, etc. you will be bombarded with for the rest of your career.
At any rate, the requirement will vary from program to program - a good residency program will let you tailor your research requirements to your needs. You should be allowed to pursue clinic work if that's what you prefer rather than bench studies. Some do require publication, others do not.
So...stepping off my soapbox now...
