The Miniproject: An initial step in scientific research skill development for first-semester medical students

Abstract

Although medical students involved in research training express greater interest in academic medicine, a paucity of clinician-scientists remains. Herein, we describe a feasible project, titled 'The Miniproject,' which introduces firstsemester medical students to basic concepts in scientific research. The Miniproject was introduced in 2007 as part of a major curriculum reform to provide a structured, systematic approach to scientific training to Karolinska Institute's study programme in Medicine. The Miniproject itself was developed in recognition that emphasis is increasingly placed on student-centred study, which involves greater assumption of responsibility by the student for his or her own learning. Over the course of five days during the first weeks of medical school, students participate in a variety of activities designed to align with five intended learning outcomes. These intended learning outcomes include: formulating a scientific hypothesis; discussing, in broad terms, at least one method used to answer a scientific question; giving and receiving feedback from peers and teachers; demonstrating the ability to search, interpret, present and discuss written and oral scientific medical information; and actively engaging in a small group discussion. Teachers facilitate small group discussions, but encourage students to lead these discussions. Via electronic, anonymous evaluations, most students (65.1%) evaluated the Miniproject as good or very good. In conclusion, the Miniproject is a feasible project led by researchers, and which is designed to introduce first-semester medical students to scientific literature and the research process, as initial steps in the scientific development thread.