Research training curriculum and projects undertaken by medical students in Australia and new Zealand

Joanne Hart ¹, Adam Collison ², Jon Cornwall ³

¹School of Medicine, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia. Joanne.hart@sydney.edu.au.
²School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Newcastle, Newcastle, Australia.
³Otago Medical School, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand.
⁴School of Medicine, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia.
⁵School of Medicine, Western Sydney University, Sydney, Australia.
⁶School of Medicine, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia.
⁷School of Medicine, University of Notre Dame Australia, Fremantle, Australia.
⁸Graduate School of Medicine, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, Australia.
⁹School of Clinical Medicine, Rural Clinical Campus, University of New South Wales, Wagga Wagga, Australia.
¹⁰Macquarie Medical School, Macquarie University, Sydney, Australia.
¹¹School of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia.
¹²Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences, Monash University, Clayton, Australia.
¹³Dept of Medical Education, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia.

⁰School of Medicine, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia. Joanne.hart@sydney.edu.au.

Bmc Medical Education +

|

May 21, 2025

View abstract on PubMed

Summary

Medical schools in Australia and New Zealand offer diverse research training curricula. Student projects predominantly focus on biomedical, clinical, and health sciences, with cancer and mental health being key topics.

Area Of Science

Medical Education Research
Curriculum Development
Health Professions Education

Background

Research training is crucial for medical students' evidence-based practice.
Existing understanding of research training delivery, integration, and assessment in medical programs is limited.
Data on the variety of student research project types and topics is scarce.

Purpose Of The Study

To document research training curricula in Australian and New Zealand medical schools.
To explore the types and topics of research projects undertaken by medical students.

Main Methods

An online survey was administered to 23 medical schools in Australia and New Zealand.
Survey data included curriculum design, project integration, and assessment.
Medical student project titles from 2023 were collected and categorized using standard codes.

Main Results

Eighteen (78%) medical programs responded, revealing varied curriculum structures (coursework only, coursework with projects).
Projects were mandatory in 50% of programs, with 78% offering scheduled time.
Projects primarily focused on biomedical and clinical sciences (69%) and health sciences (20%), addressing national health priorities like cancer control (28%) and mental health (26%).

Conclusions

This study offers a comprehensive overview of current medical research training in Australia and New Zealand.
Findings highlight diverse curriculum approaches and student project areas.
The results inform curriculum developers and policymakers on research training practices and outcomes.

Keywords:

Curriculum development Evidence-based practice Medical education Medical students Research projects Research topics Research training Scholarly projects