Involvement of medical students in research. Facilitators and constraints

Abstract

Background: Scientific research is fundamental to the education of medical students. However, their involvement in research is limited. Aim: To describe the perceptions of medical students about facilitators and constraints to perform undergraduate research. Material and Methods: Medical students attending the Chilean Congress of Medical Students in the Metropolitan Region in 2018, were surveyed. The responses obtained were subjected to a qualitative content analysis and were grouped according to perceptions of facilitators and constraints. Results: The main facilitators reported were linkage with research teachers, personal motivation towards research, and research-oriented curriculum. The main constraints were lack of time for research, lack of access to formal information channels to engage in research, and sub-optimal conditions for research. Conclusions: The main factor promoting research at the undergraduate level was the link with the teacher, mainly through informal channels. The lack of official information provided through formal instances and lack of time hampers the access to research.