Inculcating research methodology related skills and aptitude amongst medical undergraduates- An interventional study

The present project was carried out at Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College (JNMC), Datta Meghe Institute of Medical Sciences (DMIMS, deemed to be University), Wardha, Maharashtra, as part of the training programme as per the advanced course in medical educational research, the theme of the project was based on skill training. The project was titled "Inculcating research methodology related skill and aptitude amongst medical undergraduates".

The basic aim of the study was to make the medical undergraduates competent and apprised with certain basic research skills in research methodology and to develop aptitude amongst the undergraduates for research.

The present research project took Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) students from the 2016 batch, from the sixth and seventh term of their professionals and the project was conducted for 6 months duration from October 2018 to March 2019. From the batch of 200, a randomised selection of students was carried out and 57 students in total were selected. The study was carried out in three phases as follows: Phase one (assessment and sensitization); phase two (skill training/mentoring); phase three (research outcome/culmination).

In the primary endpoint, the assessment of pretest and posttest were tabulated as well as feedback was taken; in the secondary endpoint the research projects conducted were translated into publications and the student's response were applied for funded research projects like the Indian Council of Medial Research (ICMR) that was evaluated. Pretest score of 1 out of 10 (average score of 57 responses), that is, 10% and a posttest score of 6.9 out of 10, that is, 69.1%, the absolute learning gain was 59.1% and relative learning gain was 59.1%, the classroom averaged learning gain was 0.59. In the present study, the learning gain score was 0.59 which is in medium range according to Hake's learning gain criteria.

The present study concluded that there was a lack of understanding amongst medical undergraduates pertaining to the basic nuances of the research and how to go about carrying out the same. An ideal environment, mentorship is necessary for inculcating interest for research.