The Impact of a Planned Strategy of Early Scientific Research Training on Medical Students’ Research Productivity

Abstract

Student Research and Innovation Program (SRIP) is one of the major training programmes and is broadly used to promote students’ ability of scientific research. However, the exact impact of a planned strategy of early SRIP on the research productivity of medical students remains unknown. Here we conducted a complete and reliable questionnaire survey to investigate the situation of early SRIP in improving the research interests and the academic index was used to evaluate the research productivity in medical students. The results showed that more than half of medical students at Ningbo University School of Medicine participated in SRIPs in junior grades. Personal interest was a major motive and selective criteria for SRIP. Meanwhile, SRIP was found to be self-managed and well arranged in medical students. Interestingly, early scientific research training benefited students in both academic and non-academic achievements. The statistical analysis showed that the freshman participants yielded the most productive academic achievements. Additionally, the planned SRIP is considered useful, challengeable, and supportive for medical students. These findings reveal the potential value of the wider implementation of early SRIP throughout the school years in enhancing the research ability of medical students.

Early scientific research training links to the innovation ability of medical undergraduates and postgraduates: a qualitative and quantitative survey

“…However, there was lack of incorporating professional curricula into medical research for undergraduates in China. Even though they have strong interests and motivations, only a few undergraduates enrolled in research [10,12]. Most Chinese medical undergraduates participated in scienti c research through SRT spontaneously.…”

“…Since student research training program was initiated at Tsinghua University in 1996, SRT program became a principal approach for college students to improve their skills and ability to innovate. As a result, both academic and nonacademic performance of medical undergraduates were signi cantly improved by planned SRT program [10,13]. Thus, early SRT program played an important role in promoting scienti c performance and innovation ability of undergraduates.…”

“…To improve the quality of education, different strategies had been employed during the processes of medical education [16,17]. Not only a planned SRT program would bene t research productivity to medical students, but also an early SRT program strengthened the research skills of medical undergraduates and motivated them to pursue research [10,18]. In addition, the international collaborative training programs had important impact on medical students' research ability [19].…”

“…Our previous work showed that the early SRT bene ted undergraduate medical students in both academical and non-academical achievements [10]. However, the postgraduate and undergraduate programs are totally different in Chinese medical education system.…”