Students' self-assessment on the influence of research on their education in medical schools

Abstract

Abstract Background The reform of medical education and the introduction of the Bologna process into the higher medical school of the university changed the views on the research component in the process of studying a student in Kazakhstan following the principles of Soviet teaching of a medical school student. Methods A questionnaire was developed based on the AGREE methodology. The questionnaire is posted on the SurveyMonkey online questionnaire resource. A total of 1,439 university's students participated in the survey. Results About 85% of students in medical schools of universities in Kazakhstan agree on the trinity ‘science - education - practice' - the main principle of teaching students. When answering the question “Teachers at the university, when conducting lessons and lectures, always provide information about new research results,” 63% of respondents agree with this. About 77% of students believe that research is of high quality at the university. 78% of respondents noted the availability of research infrastructure at the university. About 80% of the respondents answered positively to the question of the relevance of research topics at the university. Students' participation in the research was assessed by them at a low level (about 45% of positive answers versus 51% of negative answers). Conclusions Analysis of the current situation on student participation in research in medical schools of universities in Kazakhstan shows an insufficient level of student involvement in research activities and an insufficient commitment of universities to the principle of the trinity of science, education and practice. Students who are actively and productively engaged in research have professional competencies in using the acquired knowledge, skills and abilities in practice than their colleagues who are not involved in research. Key messages The insufficient level of student involvement in research activities reflects the insufficient commitment of universities to the principle of the trinity of science, education and practice. Early involvement of students in research allows to generate their professional competence ispolzovanieya acquired knowledge and skills in practice.