Engaging Medical Undergraduates in Clinical Research: Development, Implementation, and Evaluation of a New Educational Methodology.

Abstract

Integrating clinical research into undergraduate medical education is crucial for cultivating scientific thinking, enhancing research competencies, and enhancing motivation. To design, implement, and evaluate a novel educational methodology integrating systematic clinical research training into undergraduate education. A mixed-methods study embedded within the Fourth Intensive Ambulance-Delivered Blood Pressure Reduction in Hyper-Acute Stroke Trial (INTERACT4), providing an authentic clinical research environment. A total of 78 clinical undergraduates were recruited via stratified sampling and a 1:1 individual match. The methodology integrates dual mentorship and tiered senior-junior mentoring within a theory-practice-evaluation framework in an authentic setting. The intervention group showed significantly higher research competency, including high research interest (74.4% vs. 35.9%, p < 0.001), 50% faster literature review (p = 0.04), and improved data accuracy. Award frequency increased (p = 0.019) despite slightly lower exam scores, indicating time trade-offs. Qualitatively, students reported enhanced independent thinking, a shift toward evidence-based decision-making, and strong clinical-academic integration. Challenges included data complexity and terminology barriers. The model effectively enhances research competence and clinical-academic integration. It offers a replicable framework for scalable implementation, though broader adoption requires expanded resources and structured incentives.