Effectiveness of an Experimental Design and Analysis Course for First-Year Medical Students

Biomedical research contributes to advances in medical practice, the ability to understand, interpret, and direct medical research, and is imperative for future physicians and physician-scientists. Due to numerous barriers to developing research skills during medical school, it is predicted that the addition of a formalized experimental design and analysis course will help prepare future physicians to conduct and implement evidence-based practices. The primary objective of this study was to determine the effectiveness of an elective course on Experimental Design and Analysis for first-year medical students. This study recruited first-year medical students at Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center-New Orleans enrolled in the newly developed Experimental Design and Analysis course. Course topics were divided into five categories: Experimental Design, Biostatistical Analysis, Interpretation and Presentation, Ethical and Regulatory Topics, and Career Preparation. Students expressed improved understanding and confidence in the five core components. The greatest increase in confidence and understanding occurred in Ethical and Regulatory Topics. Almost all students enrolled in the course (>95%) expressed increased confidence in understanding research design and analysis topics along with confidence in participating in future research opportunities. Most students enrolled in the course went on to engage in formal research training during the summer following enrollment in the course. We recommend introducing an elective research course on experimental design and analysis during the first year of medical school, with the intent of introducing research-related concepts to increase confidence and understanding of the research process, with particular emphasis on regulatory components of research.