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Promoting medical student involvement in primary care research
A O Gonzales1, J Westfall, G E Barley
1Department of Family Medicine, University of Colorado, USA. ann.obrien@uchsc.edu
Family Medicine
|March 12, 1998
Summary
A program successfully increased medical student involvement in primary care research. Key elements included mentorship, financial support, and tailored research agendas, leading to more student participation and publications.
Area of Science:
- Primary Care Research
- Medical Education
- Family Medicine
Background:
- Growing primary care necessitates stronger scientific foundations.
- Promoting medical student involvement in primary care research is crucial.
- Effective strategies for this promotion require further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To describe a program designed to involve medical students in primary care research.
- To evaluate the program's success in increasing student participation.
Main Methods:
- A 7-year program in the Department of Family Medicine at the University of Colorado.
- Included a student development program (Family Medicine Scholars Program).
- Incorporated financial support, faculty mentorship, dedicated coordination, and flexible research agendas.
Main Results:
- Significant increase in the number of students engaged in primary care research.
- Rise in student presentations at conferences.
- Growth in student-authored publications.
Conclusions:
- The program's five core elements effectively enhanced medical student participation in primary care research.
- The initiative demonstrates a successful model for fostering research among medical students in primary care settings.