Knowledge and attitudes about health research amongst a group of Pakistani medical students

It was a cross-sectional pilot study conducted among a group of Pakistani medical students. Through stratified random sampling, a pre-tested, structured and validated questionnaire was administered to 220 medical students. Knowledge and attitudes were recorded on a scale (graduated in percentages).Mean scores of students were 49.0% on knowledge scale and 53.7% on attitude scale. Both knowledge and attitudes improved significantly with increasing years of study in medical college [Regression coefficient 4.10 (p-value; 0.019) and 6.67 (p-value; < 0.001) for knowledge and attitudes, respectively].Medical students demonstrate moderate level of knowledge and attitude towards health research. Intensive training in this regard is associated with significant improvement in knowledge and attitudes of students towards health research.Health research training forms an important part of medical education [1]. It is essential to inculcate critical thinking and reasoning skills and to develop a positive attitude amongst students towards scientific research from the beginning of their medical career [2]. Studies have proven that involvement in research as a medical student is strongly associated with postgraduate research initiatives [3,4].Unfortunately, the number of physician scientists has declined over the past two decades and there is a dire need for more clinical as well as basic health science investigators. The role of undergraduate research assistants is thus ever more important [5,6]. Encouraging and motivating students' research activity can fill up the void of physician scientists and help developing countries to achieve self-reliance in health care and research [1].The new trends in medical education focus on acquisition of skills, knowledge and attitudes rather than factual learning [7]. New and innovative methods are being employed which stress on development of lifelong self directed learning skills. The problem based learning (PBL) approach as an educational strat