Assessment of research methodology concepts through critical appraisal among undergraduate medical students and their perception: A single center study

Abstract

Introduction: Evidence based medicine is an interplay of individual clinical acumen and best available evidence through scientific systematic research. With the advent of modern medicine in the last two centuries, medical education has seen and continues to experience its revolutionary effects. An important aspect in this regard is the integration of biomedical research.
 Objectives: To assess the research skills among undergraduate medical students exposed to the teaching of research longitudinally through all the five academic years.
 Methodology: A mixed method study was conducted in which third year MBBS students were assessed in a group through power point presentation regarding different concepts of research while critically appraising a research article. Quantitative and qualitative data were collected. Descriptive statistics were calculated, as well as thematic analysis was done.
 Results: From a total of 102 participants, 58 were male and 42 were female. Majority of the participants (81.4%) achieved an average or a good score and only 18.6% achieved a poor score. Six themes were generated. General enthusiasm about the activity was noted among participants who considered it beneficial. However, only a few were in the favor of incorporating this activity as a mandatory component in undergraduate studies.
 Conclusion: Incorporating research in a mandatory longitudinal theme component as part of undergraduate medical studies seems a potential method of laying the foundation for future physician scientists.

Training and assessing undergraduate medical students’ research: Learning, engagement and experiences of students and staff

“… 3 The experiences from medical schools in both developed and developing countries, such as Pakistan, indicate the importance of longitudinal research training in the scientific practice of medicine. 3 , 9 , 10 …”

“…3 The experiences from medical schools in both developed and developing countries, such as Pakistan, indicate the importance of longitudinal research training in the scientific practice of medicine. 3,9,10 The 'Selective modules' are part of an innovative, community-orientated primary care approach introduced at the Nelson R. Mandela School of Medicine (NRMSM), KwaZulu-Natal Province, South Africa, in 2002, to develop students' competence in community-orientated primary care, evidence-based medicine and research methodology. These modules have been described previously.…”