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What influences research medical students?
Author(s) -
Elizondo-Omaña Rodrigo Enrique,
Muñoz-Leija Milton Alberto,
Quiroga-Garza Alejandro,
Salinas-Alvarez Yolanda,
Gutierrez-de la O Jorge,
Zarate-Garza Pablo Patricio,
Martinez-Garza Javier Humberto,
Guzman-Lopez Santos
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
the faseb journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.709
H-Index - 277
eISSN - 1530-6860
pISSN - 0892-6638
DOI - 10.1096/fasebj.2020.34.s1.06173
Subject(s) - medical education , delphi method , psychology , medical school , medicine , computer science , artificial intelligence
Introduction There are several influencing factors that aid in promoting student involvement in scientific research. Due to the steady decrease of medical researchers over time, identifying these factors would provide valuable data regarding research productivity and attitudes among medical students. Our objective is to determine the influencing factors in undergraduate students who were already interested in research. Materials and methods A cross‐sectional study was performed, applying a survey validated by the Delphi method on students involved in the anatomy research group established in our University. Our school has a 6‐year program, and the group was established 17 years ago. Informed consent was obtained from all participants. The survey was voluntary and anonymous, Results A total of 85.5% of the 90 surveyed students answered with a mean age of 20.5±2 years. Most students still belonging to their 2nd year, and just starting to get involved, without an active research project. Most had as a goal to contribute new knowledge (45.5%) as well as to the scientific community (42.9%). Their primary limitation is the lack of time. More than half of the students mentioned a professor/doctor was their primary motivation to get involved in research, and half also mentioned interest due to a peer already involved. Only 1.3% have considered a full career in research. Conclusion Professors are the primary source of motivation for student recruitment, preferably those that lead by example. These same students who get involved in research will also play an important part in leading by example their younger peers. Universities should focus on these two variables to resolve the rapid decrease or physician‐researchers, as well as nourishing the mentor‐mentee relationship.