A structured, mentored experiential clinical research programme for undergraduate students.

Area of Science:

• Medical Education
• Clinical Research
• Mentorship Models

Background:

• Medical research integration into undergraduate curricula in India is lacking.
• This gap leads to issues like predatory journals and unethical research practices.
• Undergraduates often prioritize core subjects over research, necessitating early involvement strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate a structured, mentored clinical research program for undergraduate medical students.
• To assess the effectiveness of functional mentorship and experiential learning in research.
• To address the need for practical applications encouraging early research involvement.

Main Methods:

• A 4-month mentorship program was designed using a functional mentorship model and experiential learning.
• The program targeted undergraduate medical students.
• Evaluation utilized the context, input, process, and product (CIPP) model.

Main Results:

• The program successfully engaged students in productive and ethical research.
• A positive drive for grassroots research was created among participants.
• Students gained an appreciation for the relationship between research and clinical practice.

Conclusions:

• Structured mentorship programs can foster ethical research in medical undergraduates.
• Experiential learning is effective in promoting early research engagement.
• Such initiatives enhance the understanding of the research-clinical care synergy.