Teaching research: a programme to develop research capacity in undergraduate medical students at the University of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

Abstract

BackgroundImproved research ability is a core competency to achieve in health professionals. The Selectives is a three-year, longitudinal, community-based programme within the undergraduate curriculum which aims to develop research capacity in all medical students during the prescribed curriculum. In relation to the programme, the authors describe the types of studies conducted by students, conditions that facilitated their learning, how the experience improved students’ knowledge of research and public health and their development of reflective learning practices.MethodsA cohort of 212 students completed the Selectives Programme in 2014, and 69 (32 %) completed an anonymous online evaluation thereafter. Data collected include students’ perceptions of the research component of Selectives; its impact on their knowledge of research and a documentary analysis of their research protocols and posters. Ethical approval for the ongoing evaluation of the Selectives was sought and obtained from the institutional Biomedical Research Ethics Committee.ResultsDuring Selectives, 75 groups of 2–4 students conducted research studies of primary health care problems in community settings. Each group is assessed on their presentation of research findings as a scientific poster. The Selectives facilitated learning for the majority of the cohort. Students reported positive learning experiences about the research process, including ethics; protocol writing; data processing; dissemination of findings and results; and their use in informing a health promotion intervention. Students reported having gained a better understanding of their strengths and weaknesses through reflective learning from this academic activity. The Selectives is scheduled adjacent to the students’ mid-year vacation. This scheduling together with the placement in the students’ home community minimizes travel and accommodation costs associated with working outside the academic teaching platform and therefore makes it a cost-effective model in a low resource context.ConclusionsThe Selectives has proven beneficial to develop a range of generic and practical research competencies for a full cohort of students enrolled in the undergraduate medical curriculum. The Selectives research process is integrated with learning about population health and the social determinants of health in a primary health care setting.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12909-016-0567-7) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Influencia del uso de estrategias de aprendizaje y motivación en el nivel de habilidades investigativas en estudiantes de posgrado en odontología

“…Al igual que Knigth, et al (40) es importante mencionar que el desarrollo de habilidades investigativas es esencial para lograr profesionales de la salud competentes ya que el proceso de investigación se integra con el aprendizaje sobre la salud de la población y los determinantes sociales en salud pública; por lo que debe encontrarse articulado en el currículo de la carrera de Odontología.…”

Developing primary health care and public health competencies in undergraduate medical students

“…In Selectives 2 each group conducts a community-based survey to quantify a need previously identified in the community. 17 The research findings inform each group when implementing their health-promotion activity in Selectives 3, which closes the COPC cycle. 3 Students also experience a home visit to the same family each year for the three years of their Selectives.…”

Motivación, estrategias de aprendizaje y su relación con el nivel de habilidades investigativas en estudiantes de posgrado. Un estudio piloto

“…22 pensamos que es importante mencionar que el desarrollo de habilidades investigativas es esencial para lograr profesionales de la salud competentes ya que el proceso de investigación se integra con el aprendizaje sobre la salud de la población y los determinantes sociales importantes en salud pública. Así como también la necesidad de incluir la investigación científica con carácter transversal en el currículo de la carrera de odontología como menciona Prieto y cols.…”