Opinions of medical students on the pre-graduate scientific activities--how to improve the situation?

BACKGROUND The number of medical undergraduates taking part in Student Scientific Activities (SSA) at Jessenius Faculty of Medicine Comenius University in Slovakia remains low. The aim of this study was to discover some of the factors responsible and suggest improvements. METHODS An anonymous 30-item questionnaire was devised and sent to 245 medical undergraduates (UG) of the 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 5th years. RESULTS Foreign fellowships, postgraduate research, assistant posts at universities and financial incentives were cited as the main positive motivators for participation in UG student scientific research. Characteristics in tutors that encouraged student research were scientific knowledge, giving time to students and enthusiasm for research while poor infrastructure, tutor lack of time/interest, own time constraints, weak career motivation and lack of information were the strongest discouraging factors. CONCLUSION Involvement of students in SSA is influenced by many factors. To increase the number of students taking part in SSA, student research and/or continuing to Ph.D and scientific career, these factors need to be addressed by medical schools.