Perspectives on Research Internships for Medical Students and Young Doctors in Ghana: An Opportunity to Replenish the Stock of Physician Investigators?

Abstract

Edem MA Tette,1 Ben A Gyan,2 Kwadwo A Koram3 1Department of Community Health, University of Ghana Medical School, Accra, Greater Accra Region, Ghana; 2Department of Immunology, Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research University of Ghana, Accra, Greater Accra Region, Ghana; 3Department of Epidemiology, Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research University of Ghana, Accra, Greater Accra Region, GhanaCorrespondence: Edem MA Tette Email [email protected]: The corona virus pandemic undoubtedly demonstrates the growing need for research in medical science. However, with the decline in physician scientists world-wide, innovative ways are needed to engender interest in research among medical students and young doctors to replenish the stock of physician investigators. One way of doing this is to create compulsory and elective projects for them. We describe research internships created for medical students at the Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research to expose them to the rudiments of biomedical research and proposal development. We also describe research internships for doctors waiting for house job postings or keen to do research who needed mentorship. Though the response has been positive, the full impact will be realized with time. The recognition that training should be backed with a supportive environment, mentorship and clear career paths for physician scientists is also mentioned.Keywords: research, internship, medical students, doctors, physician scientist, investigator, extracurricular research, medical education

Keywords

• research
• internship
• medical students
• doctors
• physician scientist
• investigator
• extracurricular research
• medical education