Relationship between knowledge society, research methodology, and student scientific production in medical students in Chile

Abstract

The literature proposes that the scientific production of the students of medicine and health sciences in Latin American countries is very poor and contradicts one of the key functions of universities when the concept of Knowledge Society is taken into account. The sequential and systematic application of courses related with the Research Methodology decreased the unsatisfactory indicators when applied to students at the Fines Terrae University Medical School (Chile). It was observed that those students who received the aforesaid courses were able to successfully complete their scientific investigation. Some of them were able to present their results in scientific meetings, whilst others could also produce publications. The referred system generates conditions for developing interdisciplinary processes (basic and preclinical subjects and approaching to clinical ones), contributes to diminishing the poor indicators linked to Student Scientific Production, guarantees that all students may acquire investigative competences, even under critical circumstances, and collaborates with the approach between Faculties of Health Sciences and the Knowledge Society. © 2011 Universidad del Valle, Facultad de Salud.