INTRODUCTION: Concern has been expressed in recent times whether medical schools have adapted sufficiently to cater for the increasing demand of physician-scientists. Studies have shown that research involvement at the undergraduate level is vital to accommodate this growing need. Enhanced communication skills, improved problem-solving abilities and better future employment opportunities are among the other many benefits of undergraduate research (UR). Herein, we report projects run by a unique student driven undergraduate research committee (URC) at Alfaisal University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia aimed at providing the future generation of physicians training opportunities for pursuing a research intensive career. METHODS: The article describes the unique structure of the URC and provides an in-depth description of the various programs and activities used in promoting students' research activities. We analyzed students' perception of URC activities via a questionnaire and analyzed research-output of the first graduating batches through their publication record. RESULTS: Overall, more than 60% of the graduating students were involved in the various research programs offered by the URC and around 50% published in peer-reviewed journals with an average impact factor of 2.4. CONCLUSIONS: Research involvement by medical students is an essential need of the twenty-first century and models like URC could provide crucial platform for research training to the new generation of physician-scientists.
INTRODUCTION: Concern has been expressed in recent times whether medical schools have adapted sufficiently to cater for the increasing demand of physician-scientists. Studies have shown that research involvement at the undergraduate level is vital to accommodate this growing need. Enhanced communication skills, improved problem-solving abilities and better future employment opportunities are among the other many benefits of undergraduate research (UR). Herein, we report projects run by a unique student driven undergraduate research committee (URC) at Alfaisal University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia aimed at providing the future generation of physicians training opportunities for pursuing a research intensive career. METHODS: The article describes the unique structure of the URC and provides an in-depth description of the various programs and activities used in promoting students' research activities. We analyzed students' perception of URC activities via a questionnaire and analyzed research-output of the first graduating batches through their publication record. RESULTS: Overall, more than 60% of the graduating students were involved in the various research programs offered by the URC and around 50% published in peer-reviewed journals with an average impact factor of 2.4. CONCLUSIONS: Research involvement by medical students is an essential need of the twenty-first century and models like URC could provide crucial platform for research training to the new generation of physician-scientists.
Authors: Ahmed Abu-Zaid; Leenh O BaHammam; Talal M Hijji; Ismail M Shakir; Abdulaziz M Eshaq; Mohammed Alawadi; Abdulrahman A Al-Khateeb; Tehreem A Khan; Akef Obeidat; Khaled Alkattan Journal: Int J Med Educ Date: 2017-03-23
Authors: Mohammad Abrar Shareef; Adam S Obad; Haneen T Salah; Abdulaziz M Eshaq; Judie Hoilat; Alaa Alsaffar; Abdulrahman M Bakather; Wedad Alnajjar; Ahmed M Fothan; Meryam Almedani; Abdulkarim Sulaihim; Khaled M Al-Kattan; Abdulhadi A Alamodi Journal: Cureus Date: 2020-05-08