Healthline (Dec 2023)

Perception towards Biomedical Research among Undergraduate Medical Students in a Tertiary Care Institute of Kolkata: A Cross-Sectional Study

  • Sreetama Chakrabarti ,
  • Prince Kerketta,
  • Mausumi Basu ,
  • Shalini Pattanayak,
  • Somnath Naskar ,
  • Dipendra Narayan Goswami

DOI
https://doi.org/10.51957/Healthline_547_2023
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 14, no. 4
pp. 282 – 289

Abstract

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Introduction: Biomedical research at undergraduate level is a novel and important concept. It is believed to effectively foster research-oriented thinking among the students, thereby encouraging them to undertake further research activities in future. Objectives: The objectives of this study were to find out the level of perception of undergraduate medical students towards biomedical research, to explore the facilitators and barriers to biomedical research and to identify any associated background information of the students with their perception. Method: A cross-sectional study was conducted from December 2022-February 2023, among 298 students belonging to Phase III of MBBS (Part I and Part II) of a Tertiary Care Institute of Kolkata. Complete enumeration method was employed. Perception was assessed using a 5-point Likert Scale. Association of background information of participants with their perception was assessed using Multinomial Logistic Regression. Results: Among the students, around 53% had favourable perception (27% highly favourable and 26% moderately favourable) towards biomedical research. Self-interest and improved academics were identified as facilitators while lack of dedicated research time, lack of interest, and lack of assistance from faculties were found to be the barriers. Statistically significant higher odds of ‘highly favourable’ and ‘moderately favourable’ perception towards research were found among students from English-medium schools as compared to those who had other languages as medium of instruction in their schools; Part I students had statistically significant higher odds of ‘moderately favourable’ perception as compared to Part II students. Conclusion: Nearly one-third of the participants had highly favourable perception towards biomedical research. Personal interest and lack of dedicated research time were the major factors influencing research.

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