Laboratory of Centre for Preclinical Research, Department of Experimental and Clinical Physiology, Medical University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland.
Department of Soft Tissue/Bone Sarcoma and Melanoma, Maria Sklodowska-Curie National Research Institute of Oncology, Warsaw, Poland.
Ann Med. 2022 Dec;54(1):1538-1547. doi: 10.1080/07853890.2022.2076900.
Throughout the years significant progress has been observed in all medical fields. It was possible to achieve thanks to a wide range of scientists, including physician-scientists. However, in recent years their number is significantly declining. Thus we have aimed to explore the attitudes of medical students towards research.
The cross-sectional study was conducted among medical students of Medical University of Warsaw between the 1st and 23rd of December 2019. Survey examining scientific interests and activities, opinions on selected research issues, and perception of potential barriers to research activities has been distributed to 838 students and collected from 695 (391 students of the 2nd year and 304 of the 5th year) with a response rate of 82.9%. Descriptive statistics, the Chi-squared test, U-Mann-Whitney, and Kruskal-Wallis tests were used for between-group comparisons. The differences were considered statistically significant if the values were <.05.
55.2% of responders rated their scientific interests in high school as high, with no significant differences between 2nd and 5th-year students. 33.8% ( = 233) of all students plan to pursue research activity after graduation, and 52.8% ( = 360) plan to obtain PhD title. Students who presented higher scientific interests in high school more often were involved in research projects at the university (24.7% vs 17.5%, = .044), and showed higher interest in pursuing a research career (37.9% vs 28.9%, = .02). Lack of time and knowledge on starting a research project were perceived as the main barriers to scientific work.
Many medical students express research interests, are involved in scientific projects, and plan to pursue their careers in this direction. There is a majority of students with lower attitudes towards research. Medical universities should consider adapting their curricula accordingly to accommodate the needs of both groups and respond to the shortage of physicians working in clinics and research.KEY MESSAGESOne-third of medical students plan to pursue career in medical research after graduation.Students who presented higher scientific interests in the high school are more often involved in research projects at the university and show higher interest in pursuing a research career.According to medical students, lack of time, resources and funding and insufficient knowledge how to start a research project are the most important barriers to research activity.
多年来，所有医学领域都取得了重大进展。这要归功于众多科学家，包括医师科学家。然而，近年来，他们的数量正在显著减少。因此，我们旨在探讨医学生对研究的态度。
这项横断面研究于 2019 年 12 月 1 日至 23 日在华沙医科大学的医学生中进行。调查评估了学生的科研兴趣和活动、对选定研究问题的看法，以及对研究活动潜在障碍的感知。研究向 838 名学生分发了调查，并从 695 名学生（2 年级 391 名，5 年级 304 名）处收集了调查，回复率为 82.9%。采用描述性统计、卡方检验、U-Mann-Whitney 检验和 Kruskal-Wallis 检验进行组间比较。如果 值<0.05，则认为差异具有统计学意义。
55.2%（391/710）的应答者在高中时对科学的兴趣评价较高，2 年级和 5 年级学生之间无显著差异。33.8%（233/710）的学生计划毕业后从事研究活动，52.8%（360/710）计划获得博士学位。在高中时表现出较高科学兴趣的学生更有可能参与大学的研究项目（24.7%对 17.5%，=0.044），并表现出更高的从事研究职业的兴趣（37.9%对 28.9%，=0.02）。缺乏时间和开展研究项目的知识被认为是开展科学工作的主要障碍。
许多医学生表达了对研究的兴趣，参与了科学项目，并计划朝着这个方向发展自己的事业。还有相当一部分学生对研究的态度较低。医学院校应考虑相应地调整课程，以满足这两个群体的需求，并应对临床和研究工作中医生短缺的问题。
三分之一的医学生计划毕业后从事医学研究工作。在高中时表现出较高科学兴趣的学生更有可能参与大学的研究项目，并且对从事研究职业表现出更高的兴趣。根据医学生的说法，缺乏时间、资源和资金以及缺乏开展研究项目的知识是研究活动的最重要障碍。
