Perceptions of a research honours programme embedded in a Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery degree: “The worst and best years of my life”

Authors

  • Emily May Anderson College of Medicine and Dentistry James Cook University Anton Breinl Research Centre for Health Systems Strengthening, Australian Institute of Tropical Health and Medicine
  • Karen Johnston College of Medicine and Dentistry James Cook University Anton Breinl Research Centre for Health Systems Strengthening, Australian Institute of Tropical Health and Medicine
  • Ronny Gunnarsson College of Medicine and Dentistry,James Cook University Anton Breinl Research Centre for Health Systems Strengthening, Australian Institute of Tropical Health and Medicine
  • Sarah Larkins College of Medicine and Dentistry James Cook University Anton Breinl Research Centre for Health Systems Strengthening, Australian Institute of Tropical Health and Medicine

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.11157/fohpe.v19i1.144

Keywords:

evaluation, undergraduate, medical career choice, medical education research, student support

Abstract

Background: Although clinician-researchers are an essential part of the health workforce, the number of clinical researchers is declining. Student participation in research during medical school has been shown to promote a future interest in research. Therefore, to promote clinical research, it is important to evaluate educational pathways and the impediments to students undertaking research at medical school.

Methods: Semi-structured interviews were conducted to identify the challenges, benefits and enablers for students who are undertaking or have graduated from an embedded research honours degree in the Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery (BMBS) degree. Two researchers performed an ongoing thematic analysis. Data collection continued until data saturation was reached. Codes were reviewed and organised into overarching themes.

Results: Participants’ two main reasons for undertaking honours were an interest in research and to enhance career prospects. Lack of research skills, workload and support were identified as challenges, and peer relationships and available support were enablers.

Conclusions: The embedded honours model provides research training and the opportunity to engage with and contribute to the research arena.

Author Biographies

Emily May Anderson, College of Medicine and Dentistry James Cook University Anton Breinl Research Centre for Health Systems Strengthening, Australian Institute of Tropical Health and Medicine

PhD Student
College of Medicine and Dentistry
James Cook University

Karen Johnston, College of Medicine and Dentistry James Cook University Anton Breinl Research Centre for Health Systems Strengthening, Australian Institute of Tropical Health and Medicine

PhD Student
College of Medicine and Dentistry

 

Ronny Gunnarsson, College of Medicine and Dentistry,James Cook University Anton Breinl Research Centre for Health Systems Strengthening, Australian Institute of Tropical Health and Medicine

Associate Professor Ronny Gunnarsson

Honours Coordinator
College of Medicine and Dentistry
James Cook University

Sarah Larkins, College of Medicine and Dentistry James Cook University Anton Breinl Research Centre for Health Systems Strengthening, Australian Institute of Tropical Health and Medicine

Professor Sarah Larkins

Associate Dean, Research

College of Medicine and Dentistry

Co-Director, Anton Breinl Research Centre for Health Systems Strengthening

Australian Institute of Tropical Health and Medicine

References

Australian Medical Association (AMA). (2013). Clinical academic pathways in medicine—2013. Retrieved from https://ama.com.au/system/tdf/documents/

AMA_position_statement_on_clinical_academic_pathways_in_medicine_2013.pdf?file=1&type=node&id=40606

Bishop, J. (2006). The Bologna process and Australia: Next steps. Canberra, ACT,Australia: Department of Education, Science and Training.

Brown, G. V., & Sorrell, T. C. (2009). Building quality in health: The need for clinician researchers. Medical Journal of Australia, 190(11), 627–629.

Carberry, A., & Dumbrell, D. (2012a). 2012 medical students exit questionnaire.

Retrieved from http://www.medicaldeans.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2012-EQReport.pdf

Carberry, A., & Dumbrell, D. (2012b). PGY3 national data report. Retrieved from http://www.medicaldeans.org.au/wpcontent/uploads/2012-PGY3-Report.pdf

Chopra, A., Woolley, T., & Gunnarsson, R. (in press). Barriers and enablers of James Cook University Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery graduates pursuing a research career. The Australian Journal of Rural Health.

Dickler, H. B., Fang, D., Heinig, S. J., Johnson, E., & Korn, D. (2007). New physician– investigators receiving National Institutes of Health research project grants: A historical perspective on the "endangered species". JAMA, 297(22), 2496–2501. doi:10.1001/jama.297.22.2496

European Commission. (2015). The Bologna process and the European higher education area. Retrieved October 29, 2015, from http://ec.europa.eu/education/policy/higher-education/bologna-process_en.htm

Fox, G. J., & Arnold, S. J. (2008). The rising tide of medical graduates: How will postgraduate training be affected? Medical Journal of Australia, 189(9), 515–518

Galletly, C., Chur-Hansen, A., Air, T., & Chapman, I. (2009). Academics of the future? A survey of final year medical students. Australasian Psychiatry, 17(6), 502–505.

Grbich, C. (1999). Qualitative research in health. St. Leonards, Australia: Allen and Unwin.

The Group of Eight. (2013). The changing PhD: Discussion paper. Turner, ACT, Australia: Author.

Hauser, S., & McArthur, J. (2006). Saving the clinician-scientist: Report of the ANA long range planning committee. Annals of Neurology, 60(3), 278–285. doi:10.1002/ana.20970

Hayward, C. P., Danoff, D., Kennedy, M., Lee, A. C., Brzezina, S., & Bond, U. (2011, August ). Clinician investigator training in Canada: A review. Clinical and Investigative Medicine, 34, 10. Retrieved from http://www.cimonline.ca/index.php/cim/article/view/15360/12380

Hyde, S. (2007). Australian medical students' interest in research as a career. Focus on Health Professional Education, 9(2), 27–38.

Downloads

Published

2018-03-20

How to Cite

Anderson, E. M., Johnston, K., Gunnarsson, R., & Larkins, S. (2018). Perceptions of a research honours programme embedded in a Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery degree: “The worst and best years of my life”. Focus on Health Professional Education: A Multi-Professional Journal, 19(1), 1–11. https://doi.org/10.11157/fohpe.v19i1.144

Issue

Section

Articles