Effect of teaching research concepts and methodologies on the interest for research in medical students.

Objectives: The number of medical students interested in performing research in their future careers is progressively declining. In the present study, the effect of teaching a subject explaining different concepts and methodologies related to research on the interest to carry out research in the future in second year medical students was assessed. Methods: The interest of combining clinical care with research in the future was asked to 193 second year medical students (65 males/128 females), aged 19.3 ± 0.5 years, mostly of Caucasian origin. The survey was carried out before and after taking a mandatory subject entitled “Introduction to Research” where concepts and methodologies regarding scientific research are taught with a theoretical and practical approach. Results: One hundred and seventy one out of the 193 students (88.6%) answered the question before taking the subject, while 131 out of the 193 students (67.9%) answered it thereafter. In both occasions the question was answered anonymously. Prior to the subject, 55.6% of the respondents declared that they would like to combine clinical care with research. After taking the subject, there was an increase in the percentage of students with an affirmative response, reaching a 67.9% of them interested in doing research in their future medical careers (P = 0.009). Conclusions: Introducing research concepts and methodologies early in the medical curriculum as a subject may have a positive impact on the willingness to do research in the future career of medical students.