Veterinary student involvement in research is driven by career aspirations and limited by time demands: An...

The integration of research into veterinary education is vital and contributes to students' competency in information literacy, scientific reasoning, and data interpretation, which are critical to generating high-quality patient care and public health outcomes. Although veterinary schools have implemented a range of initiatives to encourage student involvement in research, participation remains limited and inadequately quantified.

A survey of administrators at veterinary schools accredited or provisionally accredited by the American Veterinary Medical Association's Council on Education sought to quantify veterinary students' involvement in research and elucidate perceived motivating factors and deterrents. The survey also investigated how research opportunities were valued by administrators, offered to students, and supported or rewarded. The survey also collected information about the adequacy of faculty available for mentoring and performing research and administrators' desire for accreditor guidance about student involvement in research.

Administrators from 34 veterinary schools indicated that a median of approximately 20% of veterinary students at their institutions participated in research. Administrators perceived that students were motivated by career aspirations, enhancement of their internship or residency applications, and personal intellectual interest. Time, followed by students' financial pressures, was thought to be the most significant barrier to student participation. Administrators reported variable perceived adequacy of faculty researchers and research mentors. Administrators were divided on whether additional accreditor guidance on research requirements and/or reporting would be helpful or harmful.

Median veterinary student participation in research was low at 20%. Veterinary schools may be able to increase student participation in research by promoting it as a means of career advancement, particularly for students who are interested in pursuing an internship or residency. Including research activities in the student academic timetable or maximizing research opportunities offered during academic breaks may also induce more student involvement.