title: Medical student perceptions of research and research-orientated careers: An international questionnaire study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Engaging and inspiring the next generation of physician-scientists at an early stage is recognised as key to ensure the future of medical research. However, little is known about medical student perceptions of research.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  We attempted to ascertain perceptions of research and research-orientated careers from medical students studying in different countries.
  
  
  METHODS
  An online questionnaire was developed, piloted, and promoted to medical students in various countries.
  
  
  RESULTS
  1625 responses were collected from 38 countries. Analysis was restricted to data collected from countries with >100 responses (n = 890). Less than half the respondents felt their medical school provided adequate research training. Key perceived barriers to research participation as a student included lack of time and difficulty finding mentors or projects. A significant gender disparity existed in research ambitions of students with females desiring less research involvement. The importance of barriers and satisfaction with research training differed significantly between countries.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Students perceive a number of key barriers to research involvement and pursuit of research-orientated careers. Programmes designed to engage students with research should focus on overcoming identified barriers. Greater effort is needed to engage female students who report more significant barriers and less desire to follow research-orientated careers.
authors.affiliation: a Department of Medical Education , University Hospital of South Manchester , Manchester , UK.
authors.forename: Garth
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Funston
authors.affiliation: b College of Medicine and Veterinary Medicine , University of Edinburgh , Edinburgh , UK.
authors.forename: Rory J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Piper
authors.affiliation: c School of Clinical Medicine , University of Cambridge , Cambridge , UK.
authors.forename: Claire
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Connell
authors.affiliation: d Department of Medical Statistics , University Hospital of South Manchester , Manchester , UK.
authors.forename: Philip
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Foden
authors.affiliation: c School of Clinical Medicine , University of Cambridge , Cambridge , UK.
authors.forename: Adam M H
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Young
authors.affiliation: a Department of Medical Education , University Hospital of South Manchester , Manchester , UK.
authors.forename: Paul
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: O'Neill
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002170:Canada; D002321:Career Choice; D005260:Female; D005602:France; D006801:Humans; D020407:Internet; D008296:Malaysia; D008297:Male; D009520:New Zealand; D010465:Perception; D010865:Pilot Projects; D012106:Research; D012586:Science; D017678:Sex Distribution; D012938:Social Perception; D013337:Students, Medical / Q000523:psychology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D006113:United Kingdom; D055815:Young Adult