Predictors of medical students’ research degree pursuit: a convenience poll pilot study

Abstract

Aim: The evidence about factors predicting the desire of medical graduates for pursuing research careers are inconsistent. Identification of factors which influence decision for pursuing research career would be important information to medical schools to improve research environment for students. For that reason, we performed an international survey of medical students to analyze the factors predicting research careers in medicine.

Methods: An international online survey of undergraduate and graduate medical students was performed, using the using the data from Res Medica student journal database, about their research activities, future interests and plans and desire to pursue research careers.

Results: In total, 486 students took the survey. Logistic regression revealed a single significant factor influencing medical students’ desire to pursue a research degree: increased motivation for participation in research in future (R2=0.33).

Conclusion: In order to encourage students and training doctors to more readily engage in research, exposure to research and research participation could have an incremental value to existing research education in medical schools.