Main Article Content
Abstract
Medical research is vital for advancing healthcare, fostering critical thinking, and enhancing scientific understanding. Despite its importance, medical students often encounter challenges that hinder their engagement in research activities. This study investigates the attitudes, perceptions, and barriers to medical research among undergraduate students at the University of Ghana Medical School (UGMS). A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted at the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital, affiliated with UGMS. The study population included undergraduate medical students from levels 100 to 600, ensuring a comprehensive understanding across different stages of medical education. Data were collected using a self-administered online questionnaire, which included sections on demographic data, attitudes and perceptions toward research, and barriers to research. A snowballing technique was employed to recruit participants via social media platforms. The collected data were analyzed using SPSS version 21 and Microsoft Excel, with descriptive statistics and chi-square tests or Fisher exact tests used to identify significant patterns and associations. The study included 256 participants, with a balanced gender distribution (51.6% female, 48.4% male). The results revealed that 92.8% of students acknowledged the critical role of research in the medical field and 84.0% perceived research as beneficial for their careers. However, 68.8% of students reported inadequate time for research due to the demanding nature of their curriculum. Additionally, only 15.2% felt they received adequate training in research methodology, and mentorship availability was deemed insufficient by 50.4% of respondents. Gender differences were observed, with female students facing additional challenges balancing research with other responsibilities. While UGMS students generally have a positive attitude toward medical research, significant barriers impede their active participation. Key challenges include time constraints, inadequate research training, and insufficient mentorship. Addressing these barriers through curricular reforms, enhanced research training, and robust mentorship programs is crucial for fostering a research-oriented culture and equipping students for future academic and clinical careers. Ensuring equitable research opportunities for all students, particularly addressing gender disparities, is essential for advancing medical knowledge and improving patient care.
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References
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References
Amgad, M., Tsui, M. M. K., Liptrott, S. J., & Shash, E. (2015). Medical student research: An integrated mixed-methods systematic review and meta-analysis. PLoS ONE, 10(6), e0127470. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0127470
Aslam, F., Qayyum, M. A., Mahmud, H., Qasim, R., & Haque, I. U. (2004). Attitudes and practices of postgraduate medical trainees towards research—a snapshot from Faisalabad. Journal of the Pakistan Medical Association, 54(10), 534-536.
Burgoyne, L. N., O'Flynn, S., & Boylan, G. B. (2010). Undergraduate medical research: The student perspective. Medical Education Online, 15(1), 5212. https://doi.org/10.3402/meo.v15i0.5212
Chang, Y., & Ramnanan, C. J. (2015). A review of literature on medical students and scholarly research: Experiences, attitudes, and outcomes. Academic Medicine, 90(8), 1162-1173. https://doi.org/10.1097/ACM.0000000000000702
Giri, P. A., Bangal, V. B., & Phalke, D. B. (2017). Knowledge, attitude and practices towards medical research amongst the postgraduate students of Pravara Institute of Medical Sciences University of Central India. Journal of Family Medicine and Primary Care, 3(1), 22-24. https://doi.org/10.4103/2249-4863.130269
Hren, D., Lukić, I. K., Marušić, A., Vujaklija, A., & Marušić, M. (2004). Teaching research methodology in medical schools: Students' attitudes towards and knowledge about science. Medical Education, 38(1), 81-86. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2923.2004.01735.x
Paiva, C. E., Lima, J. P. S. N., & Paiva, B. S. R. (2017). Mentorship in medical education: A systematic review. Medical Teacher, 39(10), 987-992. https://doi.org/10.1080/0142159X.2017.1342035
Reed, D. A., Enders, F., Lindor, R., McClees, M., & Lindor, K. D. (2011). Gender differences in academic productivity and leadership appointments of physicians throughout academic careers. Academic Medicine, 86(1), 43-47. https://doi.org/10.1097/ACM.0b013e3181ff9ff2
Reinders, J. J., Kropmans, T. J. B., & Cohen-Schotanus, J. (2005). Extracurricular research experience of medical students and their scientific output after graduation. Medical Education, 39(2), 237. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2929.2004.02075.x
Siemens, D. R., Punnen, S., Wong, J., & Kanji, N. (2010). A survey on the attitudes towards research in medical school. BMC Medical Education, 10(1), 4. https://doi.org/10.1186/1472-6920-10-4