Challenges and Barriers Toward Medical Research Among Medical and Dental Students at King Khalid University, Abha, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

Abstract

Background: Medical research is a systematic method to obtain new knowledge, reduce diagnosis problems, discover the latest or best treatment for a disease, and also used for disease prevention.Objective: The study aims to assess the challenges and barriers to conduct medical research among medical and dentistry students and determine the reasons that hinder the conduct of the study.Methods: In this cross-sectional study, the research population consisted of medical and dental students affiliated with King Khalid University in Saudi Arabia in 2020. The study followed a descriptive approach based on quantitative analysis. The Statistical Package of the Social Sciences (SPSS) program (V. 16.0, SPSS Inc., Chicago, IL, USA) was used for data analysis.Results: A total of 327 students participated in this study, and the response rate was 100%. Among them, 61.5% were females. In this study majority (63.3%) had a moderate attitude toward conducting medical research and the average was 56.17. The majority (53.8%) had a reasonable behavior toward conducting medical research, and the average was 29.06. Lack of time, skills, funding, facilities, and limited access to medical journals and related databases were the significant barriers found. Most of the students had positive attitudes, except that they are not awarded on their research, do not attend the sessions, and do not speak their thoughts. A significant relationship between demographic characteristics (age, level, and Grade Percentage Average), attitudes & perceived barriers toward research was found (<0.05).Conclusion: The majority of the students demonstrated a positive attitude toward and moderate behavior of research. However, most are not awarded on their research, do not attend the sessions, and do not speak their thoughts. Intensive training and adequate support in research activities of medical and dental students at the undergraduate level may help reduce these challenges and barriers toward research.

Research involvement among undergraduate health profession students in a resource-limited setting: awareness, attitude, motivators and barriers

“…This finding concurs with that reported by Kyaw and colleagues in Malaysia [ 27 ] and another in Sweden [ 10 ] where students of older age and in higher years of study were more knowledgeable about research than the younger and in lower years of study. It also agrees with various studies that found a higher association between male sex and research involvement [ 24 , 25 ]. However, it contrasts with that reported in Saudi Arabia where age above 25 years was associated with less involvement in research [ 20 ].…”

“…Our finding agrees with those reported by previous studies among medical and Nursing students where more than half of participants reported to be aware about research [ 23 , 24 ] and had positive attitude towards it [ 8 , 24 , 25 ], but in contrast with that by Chellaiyan and colleagues in India [ 26 ] where less than a quarter of students had a positive attitude towards medical research. Such and more programs like research results dissemination conferences aimed at exposing students to research are encouraged to better this awareness and positive attitudes.…”

“…Majority (80%) of students expressed the desire to pursue a career in research. This outcome is like those reported in South Africa [ 24 ] and England [ 25 ], where majority of students exhibited a high interest in doing research as a career. With such high interests kept to implementation, more research scientists will be anticipated in future and could lead to tremendous advancements in evidence-based medical practice, hence improved quality, and outcomes of patient care.…”

Research Involvement Among Undergraduate Health Profession Students in a Resource-Limited Setting: Awareness, Attitude, Motivators and Barriers

“…Our nding agrees with that reported by previous studies where more than half of participants reported to be aware about research (20)(21) and had positive attitude towards it (21)(22), but in contrast with that by Chellaiyan and colleagues in India (23) where less than a quarter of students had a positive attitude towards medical research. Such and more programs such as research results dissemination conferences aimed at exposing students to research are encouraged to better this awareness and positive attitudes.…”

Undergraduate students’ involvement in research: Values, benefits, barriers and recommendations

“…Other significant barriers included a lack of mentors, a lack of funds, and undergraduate students believing they are unqualified to conduct research. Alsaleem SA et al (2021) [ 18 ] Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Lack of time, skills, funding, facilities, and limited access to medical journals and related databases were the significant barriers found. Kanmounye US et al (2020) [ 19 ] Cameroon Barriers to research included lack of funding, obsolete patient information management systems, and limited understanding of biostatistics.…”