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Medical Students’ Perceptions on Research: Results from a Small European Island State

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Abstract

Background

A crucial aspect of medical education is research training. Many studies have been conducted targeting the publishing rate among medical students, but information is lacking about the perceptions of medical students towards research, especially of students studying in small island states. This study aims to investigate students’ perceptions towards research and increase the insight on what motivates and hinders medical students to conduct research.

Methods

An anonymous mixed-methods cross-sectional online questionnaire was distributed to five hundred and forty-nine medical students studying at the University of Malta. The data gathered was statistically analysed and consequently interpreted.

Results

A response rate of 25.05% was achieved, with 10.00% of students having already published their research. Despite 86.43% of students interested in conducting research, only 22.86% have pursued a research endeavour. The main reason for conducting research was ‘out of students’ own interest’. The main barrier hindering students from conducting research was perceived as the absence of research opportunities.

Discussion

Medical students have a positive attitude towards the conduction of research, to enhance their medical education. Hence, identification of potential barriers hindering medical students from conducting research should be sought out and hands-on research opportunities should be provided, on an elective basis, to pursue their research interest.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, University of Malta, MSD2080, Imsida, Malta

    Andrea Cuschieri & Sarah Cuschieri

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  1. Andrea Cuschieri
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  2. Sarah Cuschieri
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Correspondence to Andrea Cuschieri.

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Ethical Approval

Ethical approval was granted by the Faculty Research and Ethics Committee (FREC) by Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, University of Malta on 3rd August 2020. (Ethical Approval Reference: FRECMDS_1920_205).

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All participants provided informed consent.

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The authors declare no competing interests.

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Cuschieri, A., Cuschieri, S. Medical Students’ Perceptions on Research: Results from a Small European Island State. Med.Sci.Educ. 31, 1991–1999 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40670-021-01426-4

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