Medical student research opportunities: a survey of osteopathic medical schools in the United States

Abstract

Context It is important for colleges of osteopathic medicine (COMs) to provide opportunities for osteopathic medical students (OMSs) to conduct research under the guidance of professional researchers. However, COMs historically lag behind allopathic medical schools in research offerings for medical students. The literature would benefit from a synopsis of research opportunities for OMSs at COMs. Objectives This study aims to assess the availability of research opportunities currently offered to OMSs and to identify structured research programs (SRPs) to provide data that may help COMs expand such opportunities. Methods Two online surveys were developed. The General Survey asked about general research opportunities, research requirements, and SRPs, which we define as optional, intramural, and mentored research programs. The follow-up SRP Survey sought to understand the history, funding, and organizational structure of SRPs. Between February and June 2021, the General and SRP Surveys were sent to all COMs in the United States. Response data were analyzed descriptively. Results Responses were received from 32 (84.2%) of 38 COMs. Nearly all COMs offered research symposia, offered third- or fourth-year research elective rotations, and provided some form of funding for OMSs to participate in research. Fourteen (43.8%) COMs had mandatory research requirements. Twenty COMs (62.5%) offered 31 SRPs, and surveys were completed for 25 (80.6%) SRPs. SRPs were founded a median (range) of 7 (1–43) years prior and accommodated 20 (4–50) OMSs annually. Among the responding SRPs, 12.0% had external funding, 96.0% required applications, 50.0% interviewed applicants prior to acceptance into the program, 72.0% required OMSs to identify their own mentors, 68.0% offered stipends to OMSs, 28.0% offered course credits, 96.0% had clinical research opportunities, and 68.0% offered research-oriented didactics. In 84.0% of SRPs, OMSs worked predominantly in the summer after OMS-I; for these SRPs, students had 4–10 weeks of dedicated time for participation in research. Conclusions Findings from our surveys provide a synopsis of the research opportunities currently provided by COMs in the United States. Our data demonstrated wide variability of research opportunities among COMs.

Evaluating the Impact of a Medical School Student-Run Research Organization on Scholarly Activity

“…Another finding was that feeling supported and confident in conducting research was not higher among club members compared to non-members, which perhaps could be mitigated by offering more opportunities for mentorship and networking. A survey of osteopathic medical schools discovered that while nearly all colleges of osteopathic medicine offered medical student research electives, research funding, and symposia, only 62.5% offered structured research programs [ 11 ]. Continuing a structured, evidence-based research organization at our institution is likely to result in a tangible increase in perceived support in the coming years.…”

The Expediency of Including an Individual Scientific Work as a Mandatory Component in the Educational and Professional Program of Medicine

“…Інтеграція наукових досліджень до освітнього процесу в США має багато різновидів: науководослідницькі симпозіуми, участь у дослідженнях кафедр для здобувачів освіти третього чи четвертого курсу за вибором із наданням певного фінансування, в деяких закладах є обов'язкові вимоги до здобувача освіти щодо проведення ним певних досліджень [7]. Для деяких здобува-чів освіти участь у дослідженнях підчас навчання в закладі вищої освіти створює умови, за яких шанс потрапити до інтернатури в заклади охорони здоров'я інших держав є вищим, хоча це не є виключним критерієм відбору [8].…”

A Comparison of Surgical Subspecialty Match Rates in 2022 in the United States

“…In the past year, the American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine (AACOM) has mobilized Congress to increase funding of research within osteopathic colleges of medicine above the 0.1% NIH funding they currently receive [3]. Many osteopathic medical students participate in research, but only 12% of their research is funded by outside sources such as the NIH [4]. Lack of opportunity to participate in high-level research may be negatively impacting their match rates; however, this question is only theoretical as there exists no specific data on the matter, and a more specific study of how students complete their research would need to be conducted to answer it.…”