Exploring Perspectives of Basic and Clinical Sciences Medical Students on Research

Iffat Naiyar; Iffat Noor; Wajeha Najeeb; Aneeqa Chughati; Muhammad Abdullah Ehsan; Shehryar Arshid

doi:10.51253/pafmj.v74iSUPPL-2.12287

Authors

Iffat Naiyar Department of Community Medicine, CMH, Kharian Medical College, Kharian/National University of Medical Sciences (NUMS) Pakistan
Iffat Noor Department of Community Medicine, CMH, Kharian Medical College, Kharian/National University of Medical Sciences (NUMS) Pakistan
Wajeha Najeeb Department of Community Medicine, CMH, Kharian Medical College, Kharian/National University of Medical Sciences (NUMS) Pakistan
Aneeqa Chughati Department of Anatomy, CMH, Kharian Medical College, Kharian/National University of Medical Sciences (NUMS) Pakistan
Muhammad Abdullah Ehsan Department of Internal Medicine, CMH, Kharian Medical College, Kharian/National University of Medical Sciences (NUMS) Pakistan
Shehryar Arshid Department of Internal Medicine, CMH, Kharian Medical College, Kharian/National University of Medical Sciences (NUMS) Pakistan

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.51253/pafmj.v74iSUPPL-2.12287

Keywords:

undergraduate, medical, education, medical research.

Abstract

Objective: To identify and compare motivating factors and obstacles towards research among undergraduate medical students of basic and clinical sciences.

Study Design: Cross sectional study.

Place and Duration of Study: Combined Military Hospital, Kharian medical college, Pakistan Jun to Aug 2021.

Methodology: This study involved 205 undergraduate medical students divided into two groups: basic sciences (1^st, 2^nd, and 3^rd year) and clinical sciences (4^th year). Data collection was done using a self-structured questionnaire based on a 5-point Likert scale. Ethical approval was obtained from the institutional review board (CKMC/IERB/AC-00119).

Results: Out of the participants, 84(40.9%) were male and 151(59%) were female. 183(89.2%) were aged 18-22, and 22(10.7%) were aged 23-27. Distribution by year was as follows: 1^st year 17%, 2^nd year 20.9%, 3^rd year 15.6%, and 4^th year 46.3%. Approximately 40-50% of clinical sciences students supported making research mandatory from the first to the final year and introducing weightage in the final assessment, foster critical thinking and teamwork, compared to only 2-17% of basic sciences students. This significant difference highlights the need for early integration of research activities in the medical curriculum (p-value<0.001). 40-50% of undergraduate students in both clinical and basic sciences agreed that there is a lack of research culture, infrastructure, training funds, and time. The barriers did not show significant differences between the groups.

Conclusion: Clinical students’ perception of research is much better than basic sciences.

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