Factors Predictive of Medical Student Involvement in Research: Results from a New Zealand Institution

Previous studies have elucidated several benefits of engagement in research by medical students. The aim of the current study was to assess if any factors influenced the student's actual involvement (not mere interest) in scholarly activities during medical school. All medical students at the U...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Advances in medical education and practice 2021-01, Vol.12, p.183-187
Main Authors: Alamri, Yassar, Monasterio, Erik, Wilkinson, Tim J
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Age
Careers
Internal medicine
Medical education
medical education & training
Medical schools
medical student
Medical students
new zealand
Original Research
Polls & surveys
Questionnaires
Regression analysis
Response rates
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Summary:Previous studies have elucidated several benefits of engagement in research by medical students. The aim of the current study was to assess if any factors influenced the student's actual involvement (not mere interest) in scholarly activities during medical school. All medical students at the University of Otago were invited via e-mail to complete an online questionnaire. The outcome was a substantial contribution to a research project. The predictors were prior research experience, student's entry route, and planned career type. Multiple regression analysis was undertaken to control for any confounding factors influencing medical students' involvement in research. Valid responses were gathered from 669 students (yielding a response rate of 44.8%). Of those, 254 students (38.3%) had engaged in one or more research activities. Students who engaged in research activities indicated a higher likelihood of future involvement in research but expressed less interest in internal medicine sub-specialties as potential future careers. A sizeable proportion of our samples has been involved in the research. Targeting medical students not yet involved in research may necessitate additional curricular and faculty support in order to stimulate their research curiosity.
ISSN:1179-7258
1179-7258
DOI:10.2147/AMEP.S284117