Perceptions, Attitudes, Experience and Key Challenges to Research by Postgraduate Medical Residents in Kenya - a Single Center Study Survey

Abstract

Study background: Scientific research experience among doctors during medical education plays a fundamental role in instilling high-quality diagnostic and analytical skills to enhance efficient evidence-based clinical practice and positive research culture. Generally, residents across all medical subspecialties face many critical challenges to research during residency programs, which greatly affect their perceptions and attitudes towards research activities. This study aims to assess general perceptions, attitudes, and key challenges to research by postgraduate medical students studying at the University of Nairobi School Of Medicine in relation to theses development and completion during the residency program. Broad objectives: To assess general perceptions, attitudes, experience, and key challenges to research faced by the postgraduate medical residents during theses development and completion in Kenya Methodology: A descriptive cross-sectional single-centre study survey of the postgraduate medical students in various specialty studying at the University Of Nairobi School Of Medicine were conducted where they were assessed on their perceptions, attitudes, past experience and key challenges to medical research via an online self-administered structured questionnaire with subsequent thematic analysis. Utility of the study: Understanding the perceptions, attitudes and general barriers to research among postgraduate students help the training institution to identify key areas of strength and weakness in the research training programs and aid develop strong strategies to improve and foster the research cultures among the postgraduate residents. Results: A total of 303 postgraduate students were targeted in the study and all sample sizes were attained which represent 100% response rate. The mean age of the participant was 33 ±3.04 and the number of males and females were almost equal comprising 52% and 48% respectively.65% of respondents never participated in any research activities prior to enrolment for residency program citing lack of time. The most frequent challenges to research identified included overwhelming clinical duties (81%), inadequate research training (65%) and lack of research funding (55%). Conclusion: Our study revealed that residents generally have strong positive perceptions and attitudes towards medical research in evidence-based medicine but agree they face considerable challenges during residency programs due to lack of prior experience in research activities as well as lack of time arising from overwhelming clinical duties. This finding is invaluable and informs the faculty on areas that may need improvement to enhance positive research culture among residents