Introduction of a Research component in the undergraduate medical curriculum – Review of a trend

Jayadevan Sreedharan

doi:10.3126/nje.v2i3.6901

Abstract

Highlights

Introduction of aResearch component in the undergraduate medical curriculum
The question of whether a research component should be an integral part of medical curriculum has been debated in the past and is still controversial
In the past few decades, there is a trend of including research component in the undergraduate medical curriculum and this is shown to increase the interest of the students to conduct research after their graduation[4]

Summary

Introduction

The question of whether a research component should be an integral part of medical curriculum has been debated in the past and is still controversial. Patient care is the most important aspect of a medical graduate but teaching, administration and research are essential aspects. The implementation of a research component is more important at a student level as it helps to develop a judicious insight in their academic and clinical practice, which every medical person should possess. In the past few decades, there is a trend of including research component in the undergraduate medical curriculum and this is shown to increase the interest of the students to conduct research after their graduation[4]. The changes of including the research component as curricular or extra-curricular component in undergraduate medical curriculum in many countries during the last few decades began in some of the universities in US and Europe. There is an increasing trend of including research component in the medical curriculum over the years

Nature of the trend

Factors determining the trend

Findings

Guideline for implementation