Integration of scientific research training into undergraduate medical education: a reminder call

Abstract

There is an increasingly growing trend towards integrating scientific research training into undergraduate medical education. The importance and compulsoriness of this trend has been greatly highlighted at the Boyer Commission on Educating Undergraduates in the Research University. Despite the importance and benefits of undergraduate research, attempts of medical schools to encourage undergraduates to take part in formal research training during undergraduate medical education remain unsatisfactory. This article serves as a ‘reminder call’ highlighting the requisite to integrate scientific research training into undergraduate medical curricula.

Keywords

• scientific research
• undergraduate
• medical
• education
• evidence-based medicine
• translational research