Developing a Research Portfolio as a Medical Student

Abstract

Research drives medicine forward: The ability to formulate and answer scientific questions about the human body, disease, medicine, and healthcare delivery allows physicians to improve patient care. Thus, engaging in research is a natural step for students who have committed their professional lives to the health of others. This chapter will discuss why research experience is important for medical students, the types of research in medicine, and how students can be successful in building their research portfolio during medical school. This chapter examines ways to improve each step of the process: from deciding on a mentor and specialty, to completing a research project, to packaging a research portfolio in a curriculum vita.