Knowledge and preventive barriers towards conducting systematic review among undergraduate medical students of Arab countries: A multi country online survey

Abstract

Background Systematic reviews (SR) provide the highest level of evidence in research. Medical students are encouraged to learn how to conduct SR, yet barriers to engaging in these reviews need to be identified to enhance their implementation. This study aimed to assess the knowledge, practices, and perceived barriers to conducting SR among undergraduate medical students from Arab countries. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted involving undergraduate medical students from nine Arab countries enrolled in public and private medical schools. Sociodemographic information, as well as data on knowledge and barriers to conducting SR, were collected from participants through an online survey. The level of knowledge regarding SR was measured using a set of questions, with a total score of 19. Adjusted odds ratio (AOR) were used to find the associated factors with good knowledge of SR. Results With a response rate of 89.7%, 13,060 participants were enrolled, of whom 58.9% were female and 77.0% were studying at public universities. Additionally, 49.0% were in their clinical years. Approximately 31% had heard about SR, and 3,275 participants (25.1%) had attended training on SR. Overall, only 4.3% of participants demonstrated good knowledge of SRs. Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that age (AOR = 1.111, 95% CI: 1.069–1.154) and participation in research-related activities (AOR = 4.501, 95% CI: 3.650–5.551) were significantly associated with good knowledge of SR. The most identified barriers to conducting SRs included a lack of knowledge about SR (47.0%) and a lack of research exposure and opportunities (28.8%). Regarding engagement in secondary research, only 1,567 participants (12.0%) had participated in a secondary research project, and of those, only 471 (30.1%) had published their work. The types of enrolled research projects included SR (62.3%), systematic reviews with meta-analysis (43.3%), and network meta-analysis (33.4%). Conclusion The findings indicate a poor level of knowledge regarding SR among participants and highlight several barriers preventing undergraduate medical students from engaging in this research. There is a pressing need for further training on SR to enhance the knowledge and practice of SR among undergraduate medical students.