An exploration of curriculum initiatives to enhance research skills acquisition by medical students: a mixed methods study

Background: There are a decreasing number of physician scientists at a time when there is an increased demand for evidence-based medicine and research. Studies have shown that involving medical students in active research in their undergraduate careers increases the likelihood that they will be research active after graduation. A systematic review in 2020 found there was a lack of consensus on expected research skills of medical students on graduation. Benefits and disadvantages to medical students performing research are discussed in the literature without definite evidence of a net benefit to students and so this study was carried out to explore in more detail participation in ‘original research’ in pre-registration medical degree programmes and in particular, in General Practice. Aims: 1. To describe educational activity that involves students actively conducting research on pre-registration medical degree programmes. 2. To explore the evidence supporting medical student involvement in research in curricula. 3. To investigate the acceptability and likely effect on student research self-efficacy of one activity – the introduction of a clinical audit as part of a general practice placement.Methods: A scoping review was undertaken to describe the research options available and to explore the evidence supporting medical student involvement in ‘original research’ in curricula. Mixed methods were applied to investigate the acceptability and likely effect on student research self-efficacy of introducing a clinical audit as part of a general practice placement. This was underpinned by social cognitive theory as the theoretical framework. Two student questionnaires (before and after the audit initiative), a GP survey after the initiative and semi structured interviews of a purposeful sample of the participating GPs were used in this strand. In addition, the Medicine Subgroup members of the Health Sciences Group of the Universitas 21 (U21) network of universities were consulted to get an international perspective on the findings of the scoping review. The Kirkpatrick approach was used to evaluate outcomes. The data were compared and triangulated. Results: Mixed methods revealed key outcomes and context through the lens of Social Cognitive Theory. 1. Scoping Review – Most studies assume medical student research is beneficial; however, none explicitly explore the specific role of research. The emphasis is largely on outcomes, with a notable evidence gap in terms of feasibility and effectiveness. 2. Audit Initiative – First, the study experienced an attrition rate of 54%, reflecting a notable dropout over the course of the intervention. Second, only minimal changes were observed in relation to Research Self Efficacy outcomes. Third, a disparity emerged between the qualitative accounts and the quantitative data provided by GPs. 3. U21 – The internationally focussed Universitas 21 survey found that no single option stands out as the best among a range of possibilities, as choices are largely context-dependent. Conclusion: Based on the findings of this research, the positive sentiment to medical student research warrants further investigation. Conducting comparative studies could provide an initial framework in evaluating the effectiveness of student research initiatives. Further inquiry into GPs’ engagement with research and their perceived research self-efficacy appears justified.