how to do research work in medicine

Medical research

How to conduct research as a medical student, this article will address how to conduct research as a medical student, including details on different types of research, how to go about constructing an idea and other practical advice., kevin seely, oms iv.

Student Doctor Seely attends the Rocky Vista University College of Osteopathic Medicine.

In addition to good grades, test performance, and notable characteristics, it is becoming increasingly important for medical students to participate in and publish research. Residency programs appreciate seeing that applicants are interested in improving the treatment landscape of medicine through the scientific method.

Many medical students also recognize that research is important. However, not all schools emphasize student participation in research or have associations with research labs. These factors, among others, often leave students wanting to do research but unsure of how to begin. This article will address how to conduct research as a medical student, including details on different types of research, how to go about constructing an idea and other practical advice.

Types of research commonly conducted by medical students

This is not a comprehensive list, but rather, a starting point.

Case reports and case series

Case reports are detailed reports of the clinical course of an individual patient. They usually describe an unusual or novel occurrence or provide new evidence related to a specific pathological entity and its treatment. Advantages of case reports include a relatively fast timeline and little to no need for funding. A disadvantage, though, is that these contribute the most basic and least powerful scientific evidence and provide researchers with minimal exposure to the scientific process.

Case series, on the other hand, look at multiple patients retrospectively. In addition, statistical calculations can be performed to achieve significant conclusions, rendering these studies great for medical students to complete to get a full educational experience.

Clinical research

Clinical research is the peak of evidence-based medical research. Standard study designs include case-controlled trials, cohort studies or survey-based research. Clinical research requires IRB review, strict protocols and large sample sizes, thus requiring dedicated time and often funding. These can serve as barriers for medical students wanting to conduct this type of research. Be aware that the AOA offers students funding for certain research projects; you can learn more here . This year’s application window has closed, but you can always plan ahead and apply for the next grant cycle.

The advantages of clinical research include making a significant contribution to the body of medical knowledge and obtaining an understanding of what it takes to conduct clinical research. Some students take a dedicated research year to gain experience in this area.

Review articles

A literature review is a collection and summarization of literature on an unresolved, controversial or novel topic. There are different categories of reviews, including meta-analyses, systematic reviews and traditional literature reviews, offering very high, high and modest evidentiary value, respectively. Advantages of review articles include the possibility of remote collaboration and developing expertise on the subject matter. Disadvantages can include the time needed to complete the review and the difficulty of publishing this type of research.

Forming an idea

Research can be inspiring and intellectually stimulating or somewhat painful and dull. It’s helpful to first find an area of medicine in which you are interested and willing to invest time and energy. Then, search for research opportunities in this area. Doing so will make the research process more exciting and will motivate you to perform your best work. It will also demonstrate your commitment to your field of interest.

Think carefully before saying yes to studies that are too far outside your interests. Having completed research on a topic about which you are passionate will make it easier to recount your experience with enthusiasm and understanding in interviews. One way to refine your idea is by reading a recent literature review on your topic, which typically identifies gaps in current knowledge that need further investigation.

Finding a mentor

As medical students, we cannot be the primary investigator on certain types of research studies. So, you will need a mentor such as a DO, MD or PhD. If a professor approaches you about a research study, say yes if it’s something you can commit to and find interesting.

More commonly, however, students will need to approach a professor about starting a project. Asking a professor if they have research you can join is helpful, but approaching them with a well-thought-out idea is far better. Select a mentor whose area of interest aligns with that of your project. If they seem to think your idea has potential, ask them to mentor you. If they do not like your idea, it might open up an intellectual exchange that will refine your thinking. If you proceed with your idea, show initiative by completing the tasks they give you quickly, demonstrating that you are committed to the project.

Writing and publishing

Writing and publishing are essential components of the scientific process. Citation managers such as Zotero, Mendeley, and Connected Papers are free resources for keeping track of literature. Write using current scientific writing standards. If you are targeting a particular journal, you can look up their guidelines for writing and referencing. Writing is a team effort.

When it comes time to publish your work, consult with your mentor about publication. They may or may not be aware of an appropriate journal. If they’re not, Jane , the journal/author name estimator, is a free resource to start narrowing down your journal search. Beware of predatory publishing practices and aim to submit to verifiable publications indexed on vetted databases such as PubMed.

One great option for the osteopathic profession is the AOA’s Journal of Osteopathic Medicine (JOM). Learn more about submitting to JOM here .

My experience

As a second-year osteopathic medical student interested in surgery, my goal is to apply to residency with a solid research foundation. I genuinely enjoy research, and I am a member of my institution’s physician-scientist co-curricular track. With the help of amazing mentors and co-authors, I have been able to publish a literature review and a case-series study in medical school. I currently have some additional projects in the pipeline as well.

My board exams are fast approaching, so I will soon have to adjust the time I am currently committing to research. Once boards are done, though, you can bet I will be back on the research grind! I am so happy to be on this journey with all my peers and colleagues in medicine. Research is a great way to advance our profession and improve patient care.

 Keys to success

Research is a team effort. Strive to be a team player who communicates often and goes above and beyond to make the project a success. Be a finisher. Avoid joining a project if you are not fully committed, and employ resiliency to overcome failure along the way. Treat research not as a passive process, but as an active use of your intellectual capability. Push yourself to problem-solve and discover. You never know how big of an impact you might make.

Disclaimers:

Human subject-based research always requires authorization and institutional review before beginning. Be sure to follow your institution’s rules before engaging in any type of research.

This column was written from the perspective from a current medical student with the review and input from my COM’s director of research and scholarly activity, Amanda Brooks, PhD. 

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Tips on surviving—and thriving—during your first year of medical school

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How to Conduct Research as a Medical Student

Of the many factors that can shape a future doctor to become the best version of themselves - such as theoretical knowledge, clinical experience, and interpersonal skills – research can be just as important. In some cases, it can even be the single most essential part of an undergraduate student’s journey towards success.

The key takeaways from this blog include: Research as a medical student is vital for personal growth and progress, and it can be mainly done in 3 significant ways. Getting involved in research can be as simple as signing up for an extracurricular or asking your professors if there are any projects you can join. Doing research as a medical student is one of the best ways to ensure that you stand out from your peers, which can significantly improve your future career prospects. There are a couple of primary methods for research, each of which has its benefits and limitations.

Table of Contents

• 1 Significance of Medical Research
• 2.1 How to Start Researching in Medical School
• 2.2 Networking & Mentorship
• 2.3 Joining Research Groups
• 3.1 Case Reports and Series
• 3.2 Clinical Research
• 3.3 Review Articles
• 4 Is Research A Prerequisite for Medical Schools?
• 5 Why Does This Matter to You?

Significance of Medical Research

Almost all of the most significant discoveries in human history were the result of intense research or a research-based study of a particular phenomenon. Medical history is no exception. 

Medical or health research provides crucial information about disease trends and risk factors, treatment outcomes or public health interventions, functional abilities, patterns of care, healthcare costs & use, and much more.

Clinical trials, on the other hand, provide additional insight into existing research by contributing to the understanding of the effectiveness and adverse effects of medical interventions. This type of real-world clinical experience is vital for comparing and improving the use of drugs, vaccines, medical devices, and diagnostics.

Funnily enough, one of history’s most important research breakthroughs - Dr Alexander Fleming’s 1928 identification of penicillium mould was actually an accident. But through this accident, countless lives were saved, and a new area of research had begun.

Research has led to the development of remarkable improvements in health care and public health, and economists agree that medical research can increase the productivity of a population, contributing significantly to the national economy (Murphy and Topel, 1999). 

Research as a Medical Student

In addition to good grades and suitable interpersonal skills, it is becoming increasingly important for students to participate in and publish medical research. Actively engaging in research not only ensures a better understanding of medical theory but also forms a more adept and skilled medical practitioner who can save and improve lives.

How to Start Researching in Medical School

To begin researching, you first need to understand what you really want to study. For instance, it could be a clinical speciality, public health, medical education, technology, and so on.

Typically, you can either work on primary research, which involves data collection and/or secondary research, which uses existing data to study further or draw comparisons between the available data. 

Another critical thing to consider is how much time you can spare. There are 2 main ways undergraduate students can contribute to research while in university:

• Contributing to a pre-planned or existing project by collecting and/or analysing data.. Most students choose this option as it is not very time-consuming.
• Developing the skills and knowledge required to head a project, from writing the study protocol to submitting a draft for publication. Typically, this takes months or even years, so only truly dedicated and research-driven students pursue this. 

Finally, consider what you want to gain from this experience. It’s a question of whether you wish to gain a specific skill, mentorship, a broad understanding of academic publishing, or maybe to establish a research network.

Remember that, in addition to specific research skills, you will develop valuable transferable skills along the way, including communication skills, organisation, time management, and medical academic writing.

Networking & Mentorship

Networking is a highly respected and necessary social skill that can get you involved in a research process a lot smoother than having to do it alone. 

A direct approach would be to get in touch with your professors and see if they have research so you can join in. If a professor approached you first about a research study, you should promptly agree to it if you can commit and find it interesting. In fact, many medical schools even give students the opportunity to join research projects either as part of the curriculum or as an extracurricular .  

It’s best to approach projects and professors whose area of interest aligns with yours. This way, your professors can become your mentors by sharing the knowledge and experience they’ve gained with a motivated student. This can not only significantly expand your knowledge but will help build you up into a respectable medical professional. 

Joining Research Groups

Research groups are an excellent way to establish working relationships with like-minded individuals, either through research collaborations or science clubs. Both research and the medical profession are collaborative efforts, and gaining experience while working in a team can be extremely beneficial to your future career.

Your options here are joining:

• Research collaboratives/joint research programmes . These involve students from different fields of study who work towards a common research goal. These projects can result in publications, conference presentations, and seminars. 
• Science clubs . These clubs allow members to analyse diverse clinical cases and gain enriching experience. Club members are always delighted to see new people join, and it’s a great way to try out experiments you might not be able to do in class.

Types of Medical Research

Studies are either observational / non-interventional (case-control, cross-sectional, etc.) or interventional (e.g., randomised control trial). The most common types of research conducted by medical students are case reports and case series, clinical research, and literature reviews.

Case Reports and Series

Case reports are comprehensive reports of the clinical course of an individual patient. They usually describe a unique occurrence or present new evidence of a specific pathological entity and its subsequent treatment.

They have a relatively fast timeline and little need for funding, if any. However, they contribute the most basic and least impactful scientific evidence and provide minimal exposure to the scientific process.

Au contraire, case series examine multiple patients retrospectively. Researchers make statistical calculations to deduce significant conclusions, rendering these studies great for medical students who want an all-around educational experience.

Clinical Research

The peak of evidence-based medical research, clinical research standard study designs include:

• Case-controlled trials
• Cohort studies
• Survey-based research

This type of research requires Institutional Review Board (IRB) monitoring, strict protocols, large sample sizes, and a considerable amount of time and funding.  However, this type of research significantly contributes to the advancement of medical knowledge. Typically, it takes medical students about a year of experience to develop an understanding of what it takes to conduct clinical research.

Review Articles

Literature reviews are a collection and summarisation of literature on unresolved, controversial, or novel topics. Different categories of reviews with their impact include:

Review articles allow for remote collaboration and the development of expertise on the subject matter. However, they can take a long time to complete, and publishing this type of research takes a lot of time and effort.

Is Research A Prerequisite for Medical Schools?

While a background in research can certainly help your application, it’s not mandatory . Not all students have access to the same opportunities, so it only seems fair not to include it as a requirement. 

However, it is common for most medical students to have some form of background in medical research before applying to medical schools. 

For instance, the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) conducted a survey in 2019, and it discovered that 60% of the survey respondents participated in a laboratory research apprenticeship for college students. Among the respondents who had one or more gap year(s) between high school and medical school, 46% said they invested some of that time volunteering on some form of research.

Medicine can be a challenging but highly rewarding career, but often, finding a suitable medical school and understanding its admission requirements can be just as challenging.

Medlink Students want to see you lead a path to a fulfilling education and rewarding career. We can provide personalised advice and guidance on making the best decision for your unique circumstances. You can sign up for a free consultation with one of our academic advisors, who can help you find the perfect medical school, which will not only facilitate your participation in research but will also enable you to become a competent doctor who can succeed on a global scale.

Why Does This Matter to You?

Research can be the way you stand out from your peers. 

The top medical universities with competitive postgraduate and PhD programmes are far more likely to consider you favourably if you’ve shown commitment to the medical field through research. Even employers will be more impressed by your CV or resume when they see your genuine interest in contributing to healthcare.

However, if you decide to skip research altogether, you may have a much harder time proving your skills and commitment to the medical field. Why risk being a part of the crowd when you can participate in a valuable learning experience through research?

You could even help advance the medical field one day.

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How to get involved in research as a medical student

• Related content
• Peer review
• Anna Kathryn Taylor , final year medical student 1 ,
• Sarah Purdy , professor of primary care and associate dean 1
• 1 Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Bristol, UK

Participating in research gives students great skills and opportunities. Anna Taylor and Sarah Purdy explain how to get started

This article contains:

-How to get involved with research projects

-Questions to ask yourself before starting research

-What can you get published? Research output

-Advice for contacting researchers

-Different types of research explained

-Stages of research projects

Students often go into medicine because of a desire to help others and improve patients’ physical and mental wellbeing. In the early years of medical school, however, it can seem as if you are not making much difference to patient care. Involvement in research can provide exciting opportunities to work as part of a team, improve career prospects, and most importantly add to the evidence base, leading to better outcomes for patients.

Research is usually multidisciplinary, including clinical academics (medical doctors who spend part of their working life doing research), nurses, patients, scientists, and researchers without a medical background. Involvement in such a team can improve your communication skills and expand your understanding of how a multidisciplinary team works.

Participating in research can also help you to develop skills in writing and critical appraisal through the process of publishing your work. You may be able to present your work at conferences—either as a poster or an oral presentation—and this can provide valuable points for job applications at both foundation programme and core training level. This is particularly important if you are considering a career in academia. You will also develop skills in time management, problem solving, and record keeping. You might discover an area of medicine in which you are keen to carry out further work. For some people, getting involved in research as a medical student can be the first step in an academic career.

Kyla Thomas, National Institute for Health Research clinical lecturer in public health at the University of Bristol, says, “my first baby steps into a clinical academic career started with a research project I completed as a medical student. That early involvement in research opened my eyes to a whole new world of opportunities that I never would have considered.

“Importantly, participating in undergraduate research sets students apart from their colleagues. Applying for foundation posts is a competitive process and it is a definite advantage if you have managed to obtain a peer reviewed publication.”

Getting involved with research projects

Although it is possible to do research at medical school, it is important to be realistic about how much free time you have. It might be possible to set up your own research project, but this will require substantial planning in terms of writing research protocols, gaining ethical approval, and learning about new research methodologies. Other opportunities for research that make less demands on your time include:

Intercalated degrees—these often have time set aside for research in a specific area, so it is important to choose your degree according to what you might like to do for your dissertation (for example, laboratory-based work in biochemistry, or qualitative research in global health. Some subjects may have options in both qualitative and quantitative research).

Student selected components or modules can provide a good opportunity to be involved in an ongoing study or research project. If you have a long project period, you might be able to develop your own small project.

Electives and summer holidays can also provide dedicated time for research, either within the United Kingdom or in another country. They can allow you to become established in a research group if you’re there for a few weeks, and can lead to a longstanding relationship with the research group if you continue to work with them over your medical school career.

If you don’t know what to do, contacting the Student Audit and Research in Surgery (STARSurg), 1 the National Student Association of Medical Research (NSAMR), 2 or your medical school’s research society may be a good place to start.

The INSPIRE initative, 3 coordinated by the Academy of Medical Sciences, gives support and grants to help students take part in research. Some UK medical schools have small grants for elective and summer projects, and organise taster days for students to get an idea of different research areas.

You may also be able to access other grants or awards to support your research. Some of the royal colleges, such as the Royal College of General Practitioners and the Royal College of Psychiatrists, offer bursaries to students doing research in their holidays or presenting at conferences. Other national organisations, such as the Medical Women’s Federation, offer bursaries for elective projects.

Box 1: Questions to ask yourself before starting research

What are you interested in? There is no point getting involved in a project area that you find boring.

How much time do you have available? It is crucial to think about this before committing to a project, so that your supervisor can give you an appropriate role.

What do you want to get out of your research experience? Do you want a brief insight into research? Or are you hoping for a publication or presentation?

Do you know any peers or senior medical students who are involved in research? Ask them about their experiences and whether they know of anyone who might be willing to include you in a project.

Box 2: Research output

Publication —This is the “gold standard” of output and usually consists of an article published in a PubMed ID journal. This can lead to your work being cited by another researcher for their paper, and you can get up to two extra points on foundation programme applications if you have published papers with a PubMed ID.

Not all research will get published, but there are other ways to show your work, such as presenting at conferences:

Oral presentation —This involves giving a short talk about your research, describing the background, methods, and results, then talking about the implications of your findings.

Poster presentation —This involves creating a poster, usually A1 or A2 in size, summarising the background, methods, and results of your research. At a conference, presenters stand by their poster and answer questions from other delegates.

Contacting researchers

Most universities have information about their research groups on their websites, so spend some time exploring what studies are being carried out and whether you are interested in one of the research topics.

When contacting a member of the research group, ask if they or someone else within their team would be willing to offer you some research experience. Be honest if you don’t have any prior experience and about the level of involvement you are looking for, but emphasise what it is about their research that interests you and why you want to work with them. It’s important to have a flexible approach to what they offer you—it may not initially sound very exciting, but it will be a necessary part of the research process, and may lead to more interesting research activity later.

Another way to make contact with researchers is at university talks or lectures. It might be intimidating to approach senior academics, but if you talk to them about your interest they will be more likely to remember you if you contact them later on.

Box 3: What can students offer research teams?—Views from researchers

“Medical students come to research with a ‘fresh eyes’ perspective and a questioning mindset regarding the realities of clinical practice which, as a non-medic myself, serves to remind me of the contextual challenges of implementing recommendations from our work.”

Alison Gregory, senior research associate, Centre for Academic Primary Care, University of Bristol, UK.

“Enthusiasm, intelligence, and a willingness to learn new skills to solve challenges—bring those attributes and you’ll be valuable to most research teams.”

Tony Pickering, consultant anaesthetist and Wellcome Trust senior research fellow, University of Bristol, UK.

Box 4: Different types of research

Research aims to achieve new insights into disease, investigations, and treatment, using methodologies such as the ones listed below:

Qualitative research —This can be used to develop a theory and to explain how and why people behave as they do. 4 It usually involves exploring the experience of illness, therapeutic interventions, or relationships, and can be compiled using focus groups, structured interviews, consultation analysis, 5 or ethnography. 6

Quantitative research —This aims to quantify a problem by generating numerical data, and may test a hypothesis. 7 Research projects can use chemicals, drugs, biological matter, or even computer generated models. Quantitative research might also involve using statistics to evaluate or compare interventions, such as in a randomised controlled trial.

Epidemiological research —This is the study of the occurrence and distribution of disease, the determinants influencing health and disease states, and the opportunities for prevention. It often involves the analysis of large datasets. 4

Mixed methods research —This form of research incorporates both quantitative and qualitative methodologies.

Systematic reviews —These provide a summary of the known evidence base around a particular research question. They often create new data by combining other quantitative (meta-analysis) or qualitative (meta-ethnography) studies. They are often used to inform clinical guidelines.

Box 5: Stages of research projects

Project conception—Come up with a hypothesis or an objective for the project and form the main research team.

Write the research protocol—Produce a detailed description of the methodology and gain ethical approval, if needed.

Carry out the methodology by collecting the data.

Analyse the data.

Decide on the best way to disseminate your findings—for example, a conference presentation or a publication—and where you will do this.

Write up your work, including an abstract, in the format required by your chosen journal or conference.

Submit . For conference abstracts, you may hear back swiftly whether you have been offered the chance to present. Publication submissions, however, must be peer reviewed before being accepted and it can take over a year for a paper to appear in print.

Originally published as: Student BMJ 2017;25:i6593

Competing interests: AKT received grant money from INSPIRE in 2013.

Provenance and peer review: Not commissioned; externally peer reviewed.

• ↵ STARSurg. Student Audit and Research in Surgery. 2016. www.starsurg.org .
• ↵ NSAMR. National Student Association of Medical Research. 2016. www.nsamr.org .
• ↵ The Academy of Medical Sciences. About the INSPIRE initiative. 2016. www.acmedsci.ac.uk/careers/mentoring-and-careers/INSPIRE/about-INSPIRE/ .
• ↵ Ben-Shlomo Y, Brookes ST, Hickman M. Lecture Notes: Epidemiology, Evidence-based Medicine and Public Health. 6th ed . Wiley-Blackwell, 2013 .
• ↵ gp-training.net. Consultation Theory. 2016. www.gp-training.net/training/communication_skills/consultation/consultation_theory.htm .
• ↵ Reeves S, Kuper A, Hodges BD. Qualitative research methodologies: ethnography. BMJ 2008 ; 337 : a1020 . doi:10.1136/bmj.a1020   pmid:18687725 . OpenUrl FREE Full Text
• ↵ Porta M. A Dictionary of Epidemiology. 5th ed . Oxford University Press, 2008 .