Enhancing Interest and Confidence of Students in Research Through a Cross-Disciplinary Undergraduate-Initiated Medical Research Program

Abstract

Introduction Incorporating research activities into the undergraduate curriculum of medical and biomedical engineering studies is essential to nurture research talents and bring about future innovations. However, students may not understand the relevance of conducting research to their future career during undergraduate studies, as it involves little clinical-related work and takes time away from their hectic schedule. In addition, the current teaching curriculum might often lack collaboration topics between medicine and biomedical engineering. This study aims to investigate if a student-led research program can increase their motivation and enhance their research ability, and how it can enhance cross-disciplinary cooperation. Methods Medical and biomedical engineering students from a university in Hong Kong were enrolled in a student-led research program, the undergraduate-initiated research program (UIRP). That aimed to improve the well-being of visually impaired persons (VIPs). Students are required to identify the target audience, the research question, and existing gaps and devise a plan to tackle the topic. The interest, ability, and confidence of students on research were compared to their counterparts who had completed non-student-led research projects. Their views on cross-disciplinary cooperation were also investigated. Results The interest, ability, and confidence of students in research were all enhanced after completion of their projects. Both medical and biomedical engineering students who have enrolled in the UIRP had a better improvement in the self-reported research ability when compared to the control groups. Both medical and biomedical engineering students understood more about the importance of cross-disciplinary collaboration in academic research. Conclusion The presenting cross-disciplinary UIRP may be an effective out-of-the-classroom approach to enhance the interest, ability, and confidence of undergraduate students in research.

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