Extracurricular research activities among senior medical students in Kuwait: experiences, attitudes, and barriers

Becher Al-Halabi 1, Yousef Marwan 2, Mohammad Hasan 3, Sulaiman Alkhadhari 4

Affiliations

28 April 2014

-

doi: 10.2147/AMEP.S61413

Abstract

Background: Research is the foundation of scientific advancement and improvement in quality of health care, which ensures the good health of the community. The aim of this study is to explore experiences, attitudes, and barriers of medical students in Kuwait University (KU) in regards to extracurricular research.

Methods: A questionnaire about extracurricular research activities (ie, any research activity that is not part of the required undergraduate curriculum, such as publishing a paper, research elective, etc) was distributed to 175 senior medical students (years 6 and 7). Descriptive and chi-square analyses were used to analyze the responses, considering a P-value of <0.05 as the cut-off level for significance. The main outcome was defined as taking part in any of the extracurricular research activities.

Results: Of the 150 participants (response rate = 85.7%), 26 (17.3%), 68 (45.3%), 52 (34.7%), and 17 (11.3%) had published their required medical school research, presented abstracts in conferences, conducted extracurricular research, and completed a research elective/course, respectively; 99 (66.0%) took part in any of these activities. Participants who read medical journals regularly (81; 54%) reported higher participation in extracurricular research activities than those who did not read journals (P=0.003). Improving the availability of mentors for students' extracurricular research was ranked by the participants as the most important factor to improve their participation in extracurricular research (4.05/5.00).

Conclusion: Despite the lack of adequate support, extracurricular research activities among medical students of KU were comparable to students from other countries. Barriers for these activities should be addressed by KU medical educators in order to enhance research activities among the students.

Keywords: medical education; medical students; publication; research; undergraduate.

Figures

Figure 1 Reasons for publishing the community medicine research project reported by medical students in Kuwait University during the academic year 2012/2013.

Figure 1 Reasons for publishing the community medicine research project reported by medical students in Kuwait University during the academic year 2012/2013.

Figure 2 Reasons for not publishing the community medicine research project reported by medical students in Kuwait during the academic year 2012/2013.

Figure 2 Reasons for not publishing the community medicine research project reported by medical students in Kuwait during the academic year 2012/2013.

Figure 3 Attitude of medical students in Kuwait University toward research practices and activities during the academic year 2012/2013.

Figure 3 Attitude of medical students in Kuwait University toward research practices and activities during the academic year 2012/2013.

Figure 4 Importance level of factors that can improve undergraduate extracurricular research activities in Kuwait University as perceived by medical students during the academic year 2012/2013.

Figure 4 Importance level of factors that can improve undergraduate extracurricular research activities in Kuwait University as perceived by medical students during the academic year 2012/2013.

Similar articles

Medical Students' Participation in Extracurricular Activities: Motivations, Contributions, and Barriers. A Qualitative Study.

Achar Fujii RN, Kobayasi R, Claassen Enns S, Zen Tempski P.Adv Med Educ Pract. 2022 Sep 23;13:1133-1141. doi: 10.2147/AMEP.S359047. eCollection 2022.PMID: 36176420 Free PMC article.

Research practices and publication obstacles among interns at King Abdulaziz University Hospital, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, 2011-2012.

Alsayed N, Eldeek B, Tayeb S, Ayuob N, Al-Harbi A.J Egypt Public Health Assoc. 2012 Aug;87(3-4):64-70. doi: 10.1097/01.EPX.0000417978.44502.61.PMID: 22936242

Extracurricular activities in medical education: an integrative literature review.

Kim S, Jeong H, Cho H, Yu J.BMC Med Educ. 2023 Apr 22;23(1):278. doi: 10.1186/s12909-023-04245-w.PMID: 37087451 Free PMC article. Review.

Perceptions of preclinical medical students towards extracurricular activities.

Almasry M, Kayali Z, Alsaad R, Alhayaza G, Ahmad MS, Obeidat A, Abu-Zaid A.Int J Med Educ. 2017 Aug 16;8:285-289. doi: 10.5116/ijme.5973.297a.PMID: 28817380 Free PMC article.

[One hath more ado to preserve than to get--two examples of extracurricular course for cultivating a sense of research mind].

Takeda S, Kitami Y, Arimatsu T.Kaibogaku Zasshi. 2013 Mar;88(1-2):9-12.PMID: 23600315 Review. Japanese.

Cited by

Analysing the Impact of an Elective Research Experience on Medical Students' Research Perceptions.

Cuschieri A, Cuschieri S.Med Sci Educ. 2023 Jan 18;33(1):157-164. doi: 10.1007/s40670-023-01727-w. eCollection 2023 Feb.PMID: 36688012 Free PMC article.

Perceptions of Undergraduates and Mentors on the Appropriateness, Acceptability, and Feasibility of the HEPI-TUITAH Micro-Research Approach to HIV Training in Uganda.

Wakida EK, Rukundo GZ, Atuhaire C, Karungi CK, Kumakech E, Haberer JE, Talib ZM, Obua C.Adv Med Educ Pract. 2022 Apr 15;13:323-335. doi: 10.2147/AMEP.S359777. eCollection 2022.PMID: 35449719 Free PMC article.

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

Cuschieri A, Cuschieri S.Med Sci Educ. 2021 Oct 6;31(6):1991-1999. doi: 10.1007/s40670-021-01426-4. eCollection 2021 Dec.PMID: 34956709 Free PMC article.

Research training program in a Turkish medical school: challenges, barriers and opportunities from the perspectives of the students and faculty members.

Öcek Z, Batı H, Sezer ED, Köroğlu ÖA, Yılmaz Ö, Yılmaz ND, Mandıracıoğlu A.BMC Med Educ. 2021 Jan 4;21(1):2. doi: 10.1186/s12909-020-02454-1.PMID: 33397360 Free PMC article.

Perspectives on Research Internships for Medical Students and Young Doctors in Ghana: An Opportunity to Replenish the Stock of Physician Investigators?

Tette EMA, Gyan BA, Koram KA.Adv Med Educ Pract. 2020 Jul 7;11:473-478. doi: 10.2147/AMEP.S243719. eCollection 2020.PMID: 32753996 Free PMC article.

KMEL References

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/

References

  1.  
    1. Frishman WH. Student research projects and theses: should they be a requirement for medical school graduation. Heart Dis. 2001;3:140–144. - PubMed
  2.  
    1. Houlden RL, Raja JB, Collier CP, Clark AF, Wuagh JM. Medical students’ perceptions of an undergraduate research elective. Med Teach. 2004;26:659–661. - PubMed
  3.  
    1. Burgoyne LN, O’Flynn S, Boylan GB. Undergraduate medical research: the student perspective. Med Educ Online. 2010;15 - PMC - PubMed
  4.  
    1. Seymour E, Hunter AB, Laursen SL, DeAntoni T. Establishing the benefits of research experiences for undergraduates in the sciences: First findings from a three-year study. Sci Ed. 2004;88:493–534.
  5.  
    1. Murdoch-Eaton D, Drewery S, Elton S, et al. What do medical students understand by research and research skills? Identifying research opportunities within undergraduate projects. Med Teach. 2010;32:e152–e160. - PubMed
  6.  
    1. Green M, Jones P, Thomas JX., Jr Selection criteria for residency: results of a national program directors survey. Acad Med. 2009;84:362–367. - PubMed
  7.  
    1. Sinha S, Sinha A, Sinha S, Bhan C, McConnachie A, Knowles CH. Selection matters-a regional survey of UK consultant opinion on selection into postgraduate surgical and medical training. J Surg Educ. 2010;67:85–94. - PubMed
  8.  
    1. Marwan Y, Ayed A. Selection criteria of residents for residency programs in Kuwait. BMC Med Educ. 2013;13:4. - PMC - PubMed
  9.  
    1. Pruskil S, Burgwinkel P, Georg W, Keil T, Kiessling C. Medical students’ attitudes towards science and involvement in research activities: a comparative study with students from a reformed and a traditional curriculum. Med Teach. 2009;31:e254–e259. - PubMed
  10.  
    1. Siemens DR, Punnen S, Wong J, Kanji N. A survey on the attitudes towards research in medical school. BMC Med Educ. 2010;10:4. - PMC - PubMed
  11.  
    1. Karim J, Al-Saraji M, Al-Mousawi F, et al. Knowledge and self-reported practice of universal precautions among Kuwait University medical students in their clinical years. Med Princ Pract. 2012;21:328–333. - PubMed
  12.  
    1. Marwan Y, Al-Saddique M, Hassan A, Karim J, Al-Saleh M. Are medical students accepted by patients in teaching hospitals? Med Educ Online. 2012;17:17172. - PMC - PubMed
  13.  
    1. Karim JA, Marwan YA, Dawas AM, Akhtar S. Self-confidence of medical students in performing clinical skills acquired during their surgical rotation: Assessing clinical skills education in Kuwait. Saudi Med J. 2012;33:1310–1316. - PubMed
  14.  
    1. Almutar S, Altourah L, Sadeq H, Karim J, Marwan Y. Medical and surgical ward rounds in teaching hospitals of Kuwait University: students’ perceptions. Adv Med Educ Pract. 2013;4:189–193. - PMC - PubMed
  15.  
    1. Griffin MF, Hindocha S. Publication practices of medical students at British medical schools: experience, attitudes and barriers to publish. Med Teach. 2011;33:e1–e8. - PubMed
  16.  
    1. Cursiefen C, Altunbas A. Contribution of medical student research to the Medline-indexed publications of a German medical faculty. Med Educ. 1998;32:439–440. - PubMed
  17.  
    1. Dyrbye LN, Davidson LW, Cook DA. Publications and presentations resulting from required research by students at Mayo Medical School, 1976–2003. Acad Med. 2008;83:604–610. - PubMed
  18.  
    1. Jacobs CD, Cross PC. The value of medical student research: the experience at Stanford University School of Medicine. Med Educ. 1995;29:342–346. - PubMed
  19.  
    1. Nikkar-Esfahani A, Jamjoom AA, Fitzgerald JE. Extracurricular participation in research and audit by medical students: opportunities, obstacles, motivation and outcomes. Med Teach. 2012;34:e317–e324. - PubMed
  20.  
    1. de Oliveira NA, Luz MR, Saraiva RM, Alves LA. Student views of research training programmes in medical schools. Med Educ. 2011;45:748–755. - PubMed
  21.  
    1. Tagal J. Difficulties in undergraduate medical research. Clin Teach. 2007;4:2–5.
  22.  
    1. Zier K, Friedman E, Smith L. Supportive programs increase medical students’ research interest and productivity. J Investig Med. 2006;54:201–207. - PubMed
  23.  
    1. Mabvuure NT. Twelve tips for introducing students to research and publishing: a medical student’s perspective. Med Teach. 2012;34:705–709. - PubMed
  24.  
    1. Lawson McLean A, Saunders C, Velu PP, Iredale J, Hor K, Russell CD. Twelve tips for teachers to encourage student engagement in academic medicine. Med Teach. 2013;35:549–554. - PubMed
  25.  
    1. Salgueira A, Costa P, Gonçalves M, Magalhães E, Costa MJ. Individual characteristics and student’s engagement in scientific research: a cross-sectional study. BMC Med Educ. 2012;12:95. - PMC - PubMed
  26.  
    1. Al-Fouzan R, Al-Ajlan S, Marwan Y, Al-Saleh M. Factors affecting future specialty choice among medical students in Kuwait. Med Educ Online. 2012;17:1–7. - PMC - PubMed

Page Navigation