Medical Research: Perceptions, Attitudes and Barriers to its Practice of Final Year Students: A Cross-sectional Study

Abstract

Purpose: Scientific research is one of the vital factors in developing knowledge and promoting and improving the quality of healthcare services. Therefore, enhancing research practice for medical students is a necessary initial step. This study was conducted to identify the impact of perception, attitudes, and barriers to practice science research of final-year medical students. Method: A cross-sectional study was conducted on 508 final-year students at Da Nang University of Medical Technology and Pharmacy, Vietnam, from August 2023 to June 2024. A questionnaire with three parts to measure perception, attitude, practice, and barriers of medical students with science research. Descriptive statistics and correlation tests were used for data analysis. Results: The results indicated that students have a positive perception and attitude towards scientific research (4.11 ± 0.64; and 3.88 ± 0.54), while their practice was not high (3.71 ± 0.70). Students encountered more personal barriers than authority barriers (3.33 ± 0.65; and 3.22 ± 0.55), in which lack of time (68.1%) and difficulty in following up with research subjects (59.2%) were the two most common barriers. Besides, older students, having research experience, positive perceptions, good attitudes, and facing few barriers to scientific research have good practical skills (p < 0.05). Conclusion: Medical students expressed interest in science research and recognized its importance. So, research programs are essential for them to enhance their perceptions, attitudes, and practices and reduce barriers to future career development efforts.