INTEREST IN RESEARCH AMONG MEDICAL STUDENTS: CHALLENGES FOR THE UNDERGRADUATE EDUCATION.

Abstract

Objective: To assess research related activities at undergraduate level in private and public medical colleges of Pakistan. Materials and Methods: This was a cross-sectional study in which a questionnaire was applied to medical students at different medical colleges including public and privaite that are Khyber Medical College, King Edward Med College, Federal Medical & Dental College, NWSM and Rehman Medical College. Sample Size was 496 Students participated in the study, sample size was calculated on WHO calculator. Sampling Technique was Convenience sampling technique. Results: This was cross sectional study. A total sample size was 496 in which the mean age of the participents was 22.2 + 8.3 years.While distributing the patients with regards to gender, we observed that in our study 42.14% of the sample was male and 57.86% were female gender. 67% of students were following integrated while 33% conventional type of curriculum and 55% were satisfied with the research content available in their curriculum. About 74% of students said that research classes started from 1st or 2nd year; however, 58% reported there was no faculty available for teaching research in their institute. Conclusion: This study provides a baseline evidence regarding challenges to research during undergraduate medical programs including lack of research faculty, student journals and no assessment of students regarding research.Moreover, it reveals that medical students are likely to undertake and continue research at both undergraduate level and after graduation but there are no guided and mentored research activities available.