Health research: the development of a horizontal curriculum in a Medical school

Introduction: Research plays an essential role in the training of medical students by providing opportunities for in-depth learning, the development of critical skills, an understanding of scientific literature, and the application of acquired knowledge. These research experiences contribute to a more comprehensive medical education and prepare students for evidence-based clinical practice. The aim of this study was to describe the implementation of a health research horizontal experience on the curriculum of a medical course at a private university located in the city of São Paulo, Brazil. Experience report: A Health Research axis was included in the medical course curriculum in 5 semesters, from the 3rd to the 7th. The presentation of the research products occurred in the 8th semester. Discussion: There has been significant participation in the institutional undergraduate research program since the implementation of this axis. The consequence of this effort was an increase in the publication process in national and international events, and indexed journals. However, the national scientific literature highlights the necessity of encouraging students to develop deeper commitment in scientific research, which depends on the engagement of teachers, and challenges educational institutions. Conclusion: The implementation of the Health Research axis in the medical course curriculum has encouraged students to recognize the importance of searching in safe clinical database for the practice of evidence-based medicine.