An international basic science and clinical research summer program for medical students

Abstract

An important part of training the next generation of physicians is ensuring that they are exposed to the integral role that research plays in improving medical treatment. However, medical students often do not have sufficient time to be trained to carry out any projects in biomedical and clinical research. Many medical students also fail to understand and grasp translational research as an important concept today. In addition, since medical training is often an international affair whereby a medical student/resident/fellow will likely train in many different countries during his/her early training years, it is important to provide a learning environment whereby a young medical student experiences the unique challenges and value of an international educational experience. This article describes a program that bridges the gap between the basic and clinical research concepts in a unique international educational experience. After completing two semester curricula at Alfaisal University in Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, six medical students undertook a summer program at St. Boniface Hospital Research Centre, in Winnipeg, MB, Canada. The program lasted for 2 mo and addressed advanced training in basic science research topics in medicine such as cell isolation, functional assessment, and molecular techniques of analysis and manipulation as well as sessions on the conduct of clinical research trials, ethics, and intellectual property management. Programs such as these are essential to provide a base from which medical students can decide if research is an attractive career choice for them during their clinical practice in subsequent years. An innovative international summer research course for medical students is necessary to cater to the needs of the medical students in the 21st century.

Interest and Involvement in Research During Medical School: a Global Comparison of Students at High- and Low-Income Universities

“…Previous reports have described structured research opportunities that have contributed to the development of medical students' research skills. Whether nationally or internationally [21,22], it has been shown that a structured research education and modest funding are sufficient to help medical students build up their research knowledge and publish scientific work. Finally, given the condensed nature of medical curricula, adding a research methodology course may require removing another element from the curriculum.…”

Extrinsic motives to encourage extracurricular research activities: a reminder call to medical schools in Saudi Arabia

“…In developing and under-developing countries (including Saudi Arabia), optimal implementation of curricular research training remains fairly unachievable by medical schools 4 , 5 . This problem is further compounded by the fact that extracurricular research activities remain largely unpopular by medical students.…”

Patterns and trends of medical student research

“…Medical students also constitute a significant proportion among medical professionals engaged in research, though this contribution is less compared to students of other professions [1]. Research provides the students with an intellectually challenging, self-learning experience [2], and participating in research is important in producing doctors with an understanding of evidence-based medicine.…”

“…Research provides the students with an intellectually challenging, self-learning experience [2], and participating in research is important in producing doctors with an understanding of evidence-based medicine. Participation in research and audits while in medical school can help develop these skills whilst prompting interest in academic pursuits [1]. …”