Abstract

KNOWLEDGE ATTITUDE AND PRACTICES TOWARDS SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH AMONG POSTGRADUATE MEDICAL STUDENTS IN A TERTIARY CARE TEACHING HOSPITAL

Dr. Nalini Rajapandian* and Dr. Prabhakar T. G.

Abstract

Background: Medical research is an extremely important element for improving the health care and it forms an important part of health science education. Knowledge about the research methodology is very important to become an efficient researcher and training in the field of scientific research is an important aspect that is neglected which requires more attention. The objective of the study is to assess the knowledge, attitude and practices towards principles of scientific research among the post graduate medical students and to evaluate the barriers towards conducting research. Materials and Methods: The present cross sectional questionnaire based study was conducted in a tertiary care teaching hospital among the medical post graduates. A modified self structured pre-validated questionnaire on principles of research and barriers towards conducting research was used to collect the data. The data collected was statistically analysed and was tabulated in percentage and frequency. Results: A total of 104 medical postgraduates participated in the questionnaire study, 52.9% postgraduates were from clinical speciality and 47.1% were from pre and para- clinical speciality. More than fifty percent of medical postgraduates had knowledge towards clinical research. 44.2% of medical postgraduates are currently involved in research as principal investigator. Lack of time (70.2%), lack of research training (69.2%), lack of funding and statistical support (67.3%) were the main barriers perceived by the postgraduates towards medical research. Conclusions: In this study the medical postgraduates have good knowledge on the basic principles of scientific research and they also have positive attitude towards research.

Keywords: Knowledge, Attitude, Practices, Research, Medical Postgraduates.