Challenges and Limitations among Foreign Medical Undergraduates interested in Research Study: A Cross-sectional Study

BACKGROUND: Medical research holds immense significance in medicine as it propels progress, elevates patient care, and deepens our comprehension of diseases and therapies. We aimed to examine the barriers, and challenges that limit foreign medical undergraduates in conducting research studies. METH...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Nnaemeka Emmanuel Mgbedo, Karim Salimov, Daramola Oluwatosin, Eton Uduakabasi Noah Ededet, Nikita Vyas, Pragati Chhikara, Rupam Chaturvedi, Samuel Oluwatobi Odukoya, Olaniyan Ibraheem Olaniyi
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: University Library System, University of Pittsburgh 2025-01-01
Series:International Journal of Medical Students
Subjects:
Online Access:http://ijms.info/IJMS/article/view/2742
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
_version_ 1850101085400727552
author Nnaemeka Emmanuel Mgbedo
Karim Salimov
Daramola Oluwatosin
Eton Uduakabasi Noah Ededet
Nikita Vyas
Pragati Chhikara
Rupam Chaturvedi
Samuel Oluwatobi Odukoya
Olaniyan Ibraheem Olaniyi
author_facet Nnaemeka Emmanuel Mgbedo
Karim Salimov
Daramola Oluwatosin
Eton Uduakabasi Noah Ededet
Nikita Vyas
Pragati Chhikara
Rupam Chaturvedi
Samuel Oluwatobi Odukoya
Olaniyan Ibraheem Olaniyi
author_sort Nnaemeka Emmanuel Mgbedo
collection DOAJ
description BACKGROUND: Medical research holds immense significance in medicine as it propels progress, elevates patient care, and deepens our comprehension of diseases and therapies. We aimed to examine the barriers, and challenges that limit foreign medical undergraduates in conducting research studies. METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, 641 students from more than six Universities in Georgia participated, and the response rate was 53%. The study received ethical approval before data collection. It was conducted from 10th to 16th February 2024 in Tbilisi and Batumi City. Students were approached during classes by the research representatives to complete the questionnaire. The structured questionnaire contained demographic characteristics, attitudes, and perceived barriers to participation in research. Descriptive analysis, such as the frequency distribution and independent t-test, was performed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 23.0 software (SPSS Inc., Chicago IL, USA). RESULTS: The University of Georgia had the highest participants of 41.5%, followed by Batumi State University (31.7%). 56.8% of female students completed the study with a mean age of 22.19. 86.1% of students were medical students, and 17.2% were in their final year of medical school. 89.9% of students were international students from different countries across the globe. Most students “agreed’’ that the challenges influencing their research interest were lack of motivation and guidance (48.8%), time constraints (48.7%), lack of familiarity with research proposal (48.7%), skills, and statistical analysis (49%). Most of the male students reported that lack of access to research papers, databases, and research funding limits their interest and participation in research, which were statistically significant (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: Our study reported significant barriers and limitations encountered by international students interested in research studies. Most participants require research training and mentoring to obtain the essential skills. Research clubs and organizations are encouraged among students to help optimize the opportunities for participation in grants and projects funded by different organizations
format Article
id doaj-art-d7d6883f163347f08c5ea852c3d37b36
institution DOAJ
issn 2076-6327
language English
publishDate 2025-01-01
publisher University Library System, University of Pittsburgh
record_format Article
series International Journal of Medical Students
spelling doaj-art-d7d6883f163347f08c5ea852c3d37b362025-08-20T02:40:08ZengUniversity Library System, University of PittsburghInternational Journal of Medical Students2076-63272025-01-0112Challenges and Limitations among Foreign Medical Undergraduates interested in Research Study: A Cross-sectional StudyNnaemeka Emmanuel Mgbedo0Karim Salimov1Daramola Oluwatosin2Eton Uduakabasi Noah Ededet3Nikita Vyas 4Pragati Chhikara5Rupam Chaturvedi6Samuel Oluwatobi Odukoya7Olaniyan Ibraheem Olaniyi8University of GeorgiaUniversity of GeorgiaUniversity of GeorgiaUniversity of Georgia, Tbilisi, GeorgiaEast European University, Tbilisi, GeorgiaBatumi Shota Rustaveli State UniversityBatumi Shota Rustaveli state UniversityNew Vision UniversityTbilisi State Medical University BACKGROUND: Medical research holds immense significance in medicine as it propels progress, elevates patient care, and deepens our comprehension of diseases and therapies. We aimed to examine the barriers, and challenges that limit foreign medical undergraduates in conducting research studies. METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, 641 students from more than six Universities in Georgia participated, and the response rate was 53%. The study received ethical approval before data collection. It was conducted from 10th to 16th February 2024 in Tbilisi and Batumi City. Students were approached during classes by the research representatives to complete the questionnaire. The structured questionnaire contained demographic characteristics, attitudes, and perceived barriers to participation in research. Descriptive analysis, such as the frequency distribution and independent t-test, was performed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 23.0 software (SPSS Inc., Chicago IL, USA). RESULTS: The University of Georgia had the highest participants of 41.5%, followed by Batumi State University (31.7%). 56.8% of female students completed the study with a mean age of 22.19. 86.1% of students were medical students, and 17.2% were in their final year of medical school. 89.9% of students were international students from different countries across the globe. Most students “agreed’’ that the challenges influencing their research interest were lack of motivation and guidance (48.8%), time constraints (48.7%), lack of familiarity with research proposal (48.7%), skills, and statistical analysis (49%). Most of the male students reported that lack of access to research papers, databases, and research funding limits their interest and participation in research, which were statistically significant (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: Our study reported significant barriers and limitations encountered by international students interested in research studies. Most participants require research training and mentoring to obtain the essential skills. Research clubs and organizations are encouraged among students to help optimize the opportunities for participation in grants and projects funded by different organizations http://ijms.info/IJMS/article/view/2742'Activity' 'Research' 'Medicine' 'students'
spellingShingle Nnaemeka Emmanuel Mgbedo
Karim Salimov
Daramola Oluwatosin
Eton Uduakabasi Noah Ededet
Nikita Vyas
Pragati Chhikara
Rupam Chaturvedi
Samuel Oluwatobi Odukoya
Olaniyan Ibraheem Olaniyi
Challenges and Limitations among Foreign Medical Undergraduates interested in Research Study: A Cross-sectional Study
International Journal of Medical Students
'Activity' 'Research' 'Medicine' 'students'
title Challenges and Limitations among Foreign Medical Undergraduates interested in Research Study: A Cross-sectional Study
title_full Challenges and Limitations among Foreign Medical Undergraduates interested in Research Study: A Cross-sectional Study
title_fullStr Challenges and Limitations among Foreign Medical Undergraduates interested in Research Study: A Cross-sectional Study
title_full_unstemmed Challenges and Limitations among Foreign Medical Undergraduates interested in Research Study: A Cross-sectional Study
title_short Challenges and Limitations among Foreign Medical Undergraduates interested in Research Study: A Cross-sectional Study
title_sort challenges and limitations among foreign medical undergraduates interested in research study a cross sectional study
topic 'Activity' 'Research' 'Medicine' 'students'
url http://ijms.info/IJMS/article/view/2742
work_keys_str_mv AT nnaemekaemmanuelmgbedo challengesandlimitationsamongforeignmedicalundergraduatesinterestedinresearchstudyacrosssectionalstudy
AT karimsalimov challengesandlimitationsamongforeignmedicalundergraduatesinterestedinresearchstudyacrosssectionalstudy
AT daramolaoluwatosin challengesandlimitationsamongforeignmedicalundergraduatesinterestedinresearchstudyacrosssectionalstudy
AT etonuduakabasinoahededet challengesandlimitationsamongforeignmedicalundergraduatesinterestedinresearchstudyacrosssectionalstudy
AT nikitavyas challengesandlimitationsamongforeignmedicalundergraduatesinterestedinresearchstudyacrosssectionalstudy
AT pragatichhikara challengesandlimitationsamongforeignmedicalundergraduatesinterestedinresearchstudyacrosssectionalstudy
AT rupamchaturvedi challengesandlimitationsamongforeignmedicalundergraduatesinterestedinresearchstudyacrosssectionalstudy
AT samueloluwatobiodukoya challengesandlimitationsamongforeignmedicalundergraduatesinterestedinresearchstudyacrosssectionalstudy
AT olaniyanibraheemolaniyi challengesandlimitationsamongforeignmedicalundergraduatesinterestedinresearchstudyacrosssectionalstudy