LETTER TO EDITOR

Emerging Research Interest in Medical and Dental Undergraduates

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By Nahid Jamal1, Khizer Ahmed Khan2, Ahsan Shabbir3

AFFLIATIONS

  1. United College of Nursing and Midwifery, Karachi, Pakistan
  2. Dentistry Department, United Medical and Dental College, Karachi, Pakistan
  3. Medicine Department, United Medical and Dental College, Karachi, Pakistan

DOI: https://doi.org/10.36283/PJMD13-1/025

How to cite: Jamal N, Khan KA, Shabbir A. Emerging Research Interest in Medical and Dental Undergraduates. Pak J Med Dent. 2024;13(1):128-129. Doi: 10.36283/PJMD13-1/025

Dear Editor,

I am writing this letter to highlight the current encouraging and commendable rise in the involvement of undergraduate medical and dental students in research across Pakistan. A positive surge was detected among the medical and dental institutes reflecting increasing interest and contribution in research activities. A study in Saudi Arabia reported the relationship between rising research trends and its contributing factors, henceforth, stating that admission into residency (56.8%), interest in research (41.8%), and aid in clinical decision-making (31%) were the top three factors for research interest 1.

The curiosity of undergraduates towards research projects and their outcomes not only enriched their learning experience but also fostered a culture of critical thinking along with evidence-based practice during different stages of their academic journey hence contributing to the healthcare field 2. Developing the rising cadre of healthcare professionals involves more than theoretical knowledge; it requires the practical application of skills addressing real-world medical and dental problems. The growing emphasis on research and undergraduates reflected a hanging support system in educational institutions, with the faculty and mentors playing a pivotal role in guiding these students. Mentorship ensures ethical research practices, and adherence to global standards and reinforces the importance of practical learning in healthcare education 3,4. A survey was conducted at 5 prestigious medical institutes in the United States, known for their strong research programs, and included 328 participants. The primary motivations for students taking extended research breaks were to enhance their competitiveness in residency applications (32%), to explore numerous opportunities (24%), and were driven by a strong academic interest (23%) hence demonstrating a keen inclination of undergraduates towards research5. The opportunity to cultivate their research capabilities through global publications and conferences enhanced self-assurance among the undergraduates of medical and dental institutions encouraging them to consider research as a fundamental part of their career.

To sum up, this increasing engagement of undergraduate medical and dental students in research is a positive shift for the healthcare education landscape in Pakistan. It reflects the students’ dedication, the commitment of their mentors, and the changing educational paradigms. This must nurture devotion and channel it toward meaningful contributions to the healthcare field.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

The authors would like to acknowledge and extend their gratitude to the institution.

CONFLICT OF INTEREST

There is no conflict of interest.

AUTHORS CONTRIBUTION

NJ, KAK, and AS contributed to the manuscript writing and editing. All authors read and approved the final manuscript.

REFERENCES

  1. Alhabib RK, Alhusseini N, Aboalsamh AG, Adi G, Ismail A, Hajja A, Alammari D, Khalil Z, Alharbi MA, Albahiti SK. Motivators and barriers to research participation among medical students in Saudi Arabia. PLoS One. 2023;18(4):e0284990. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0284990.
  2. Carberry C, McCombe G, Tobin H, Stokes D, Last J, Bury G, Cullen W. Curriculum initiatives to enhance research skills acquisition by medical students: a scoping review. BMC Med Educ. 2021;21(1):312. doi: 10.1186/s12909-021-02754-0.
  3. Parsonnet J, Gruppuso PA, Kanter SL, Boninger M. Required vs. elective research and in-depth scholarship programs in the medical student curriculum. Acad Med. 2010;85(3):405-408. doi: 10.1097/ACM.0b013e3181cccdc4.
  4. Cheung BMY. Medical student research: is it necessary and beneficial? Postgrad Med J. 2018;94(1112):317. doi: 10.1136/postgradmedj-2018-135834.
  5. Pathipati AS, Taleghani N. Research in medical school: a survey evaluating why medical students take research years. Cureus. 2016;8(8):e741. https:// doi.org/10.7759/cureus.741

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