The effects of educational intervention on perceived barriers toward medical student research involvement: A pilot study

Background: Competency in research as a medical student is a core skill set in training to be a physician and also supports effective continuing education as a physician. Although it is highlighted as an expected competency for educating medical students, there are no specific requirements on the type or depth of educational content that should be offered in the area of research skills for medical students. This observation led us to explore the potential benefits of informative lectures on research fundamentals and their impact on medical students’ perceptions on conducting research in school. Methods: In this study, students were surveyed before (n=71) and after (n=33) formal lectures on research principles to exam changes in perceived barriers to participating in research related activities. Barriers were categorized into three categories: Personal; Competency; and Value. Results: The results of this study demonstrated significantly decreased perception of several barriers within the personal and competency categories after the lecture series on research principles was completed. Although statistically insignificant, a separate and possibly interesting observation is that respondents appeared to have a decreased interest in research and decreased perception that participating in research would add value to their profile as a residency applicant or impact their care of patients as a future physician. Conclusions: Our pilot study suggests that offering formal lectures on research principles may lead to decreased perceived barriers of medical students in becoming involved in research related activities during medical school.