The Impact of a Planned Strategy of Early Scientific Research Training on Medical Students’ Research Productivity

Student Research and Innovation Program (SRIP) is one of the major training programmes and is broadly used to promote students’ ability of scientific research. However, the exact impact of a planned strategy of early SRIP on the research productivity of medical students remains unknown. Here we conducted a complete and reliable questionnaire survey to investigate the situation of early SRIP in improving the research interests and the academic index was used to evaluate the research productivity in medical students. The results showed that more than half of medical students at Ningbo University School of Medicine participated in SRIPs in junior grades. Personal interest was a major motive and selective criteria for SRIP. Meanwhile, SRIP was found to be self-managed and well arranged in medical students. Interestingly, early scientific research training benefited students in both academic and non-academic achievements. The statistical analysis showed that the freshman participants yielded the most productive academic achievements. Additionally, the planned SRIP is considered useful, challengeable, and supportive for medical students. These findings reveal the potential value of the wider implementation of early SRIP throughout the school years in enhancing the research ability of medical students.