Attitude, Perception and Demand for Research among Medical Undergraduates in a Teaching Medical Institution in South India

Medical undergraduates in India have no formal pathway to become scientist-researcher. Present study was aimed to reveal attitude, perception and demand for research as well as constraints during conduct of research as perceived by medical undergraduates. A cross-sectional study was conducted among medical undergraduates during March-May 2010. Data were collected by both qualitative (FGD-pile sort exercise) and quantitative methods (self-administered questionnaire) and analysed using Epi_Info, SPSS and Anthropac software. Out of 221 undergraduates, 77.4% felt research is advantageous for their future career. 75.6% viewed teaching of research should be made mandatory in undergraduate curriculum. 71.9% wanted to become doctor in clinical subjects only. 65.2% felt institutional support for undergraduate research was not sufficient in Indian scenario. Gender, duration of professional course and financial status of students did not influence research attitude of undergraduates. Poor awareness and motivation, lack of institutional support, time limitation, poor recognition and less monetary benefit from research practice are major constraints. Positive attitude and demand for research does exist among medical undergraduates, which should be nourished in consultation with medical education regulatory bodies and research funding institutions.