Assessment of the current knowledge and willingness to conduct medical research work of future healthcare providers: A cross-sectional study in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Healthcare research work contributes significantly to the advancement and development of medical education. Numerous studies have demonstrated the efficiency and productivity of student participation in medical research work, which has a positive impact on the health system. In this study, we intended to examine medical students' knowledge and attitudes regarding, and actual participation in, medical research work. METHODS: This cross-sectional study was conducted on 184 medical students of Batterjee Medical College. The students received a paper-based survey questionnaire, containing multiple parts that related to their knowledge and attitudes regarding, and actual participation in, research work. One-way analysis of variance was utilized for the comparison of the average scores of the academic specialization groups. RESULTS: One hundred and forty-three participants completed the questionnaire, with a response rate of 78%. The overall average scores for the students' knowledge and attitudes regarding, and actual participation in, research work were 57.2%, 76%, and 31.5%, respectively. Medicine students obtained significantly higher average scores than the students of other specializations in terms of the scale of knowledge and attitudes regarding, and actual participation in, research work. The principal barriers that deterred the students from undertaking research work were poor time management (68.5%), inadequate feedback (64.3%), and a lack of research skills (54.5%). CONCLUSION: Medical students showed a low level of knowledge relating to research work and infrequently participated in them, but they reported a positive attitude toward research work activity. Extensive work is needed to overcome several barriers, such as poor time management and insufficient research skills.