Abstract
BackgroundMedical students engage in curricular and extracurricular activities, including undergraduate research (UR). The advantages, difficulties and motivations for medical students pursuing research activities during their studies have rarely been addressed. In Brazil, some medical schools have included undergraduate research into their curriculum. The present study aimed to understand the reality of scientific practice among medical students at a well-established Brazilian medical school, analyzing this context from the students’ viewpoint.MethodsA cross-sectional survey based on a questionnaire applied to students from years one to six enrolled in an established Brazilian medical school that currently has no curricular UR program.ResultsThe questionnaire was answered by 415 students, 47.2% of whom were involved in research activities, with greater participation in UR in the second half of the course. Independent of student involvement in research activities, time constraints were cited as the main obstacle to participation. Among students not involved in UR, 91.1% said they favored its inclusion in the curriculum, since this would facilitate the development of such activity. This approach could signify an approximation between the axes of teaching and research. Among students who had completed at least one UR project, 87.7% said they would recommend the activity to students entering the course.ConclusionEven without an undergraduate research program, students of this medical school report strong involvement in research activities, but discussion of the difficulties inherent in its practice is important to future developments.
Highlights
Medical students engage in curricular and extracurricular activities, including undergraduate research (UR)
Recognizing the relevance of this type of extracurricular activity, numerous Brazilian universities have included it in discussions concerning the curriculum of medical courses, while in some, undergraduate research is integrated into the course [8,9]
General data The questionnaire was answered by 415 students from years one to six of the undergraduate course; the majority were women (n = 260, 62.7%)
Summary
Medical students engage in curricular and extracurricular activities, including undergraduate research (UR). Society holds important expectations of health professionals Aside from their biomedical training, these include an active critical posture in relation to planning and conducting research aimed at increasing current knowledge, especially that which improves the living conditions and health of the general population [1,2]. In this relatively new professional context, universities from different countries are concerned about preparing medical students to meet the changing needs of society. The advantages, difficulties and motivations for medical students pursuing research activities during their studies have rarely been addressed [3,4,9]
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