Medical Research education (MRe) – Romania (FASMR)

Name of the activity: Medical Research education (MRe)

Country/NMO: Romania (FASMR)

Program: Teaching Medical Skills

Contact information: [email protected]

Type of the activity: Capacity Building

General description:

We teach students to take part in research projects, to read and write an academic paper, to do statistical interpretation and to present their findings to the public.
Internationally speaking, research is at the level one of the engines for the development of society. In Romania, this area is deficient, the investments are insufficient, the attraction of small funds, the outdated equipment, and even the researchers are missing. This problem is manifested in the life of students through relatively few, poorly known opportunities and inadequate training for international market demands. All of this is accentuated by a lack of inter- and intra-institutional coordination.
Considering that today’s students, tomorrow’s doctors, are not familiar with the research, and the lack of adaptability of the Romanian medical education system to the needs of the research field also attracts lack of interest, training, information and, implicitly, involvement part of the students, the involved Local Committees proposed to organize a project aimed at introducing them in the field, as well as informing about the existing opportunities. Students are an indispensable human resource for research because of their imagination, determination and workforce.

Focus area:

Research basics for medical practitioners

Problem statement:

Low number of students involved in research projects.
Lack of theoretical and practical research skills.
Lack of teacher involvement in student research.
Lack of needed soft skills for different aspects in research.

Target groups and beneficiaries:

Medical, Dentistry and Pharmacy students that are interested in academic research from 2 FMOs

Objectives and indicators of success:

Increased theoretical knowledge about research – Statistically significant increase in correct answers before and after workshops.
Increased soft skills (public speaking, presentation skills and poster making, time management) – Evaluation by trainers at the end of workshops.
Increased practical skills – Evaluated by the research coordinator at the beginning and at the end of the students involvement in the research project.
Supporting the students who want to participate in research activities during the universitary year. Applying a formal medical education complementary to the curriculum. Indicator of success = number of students doing research : expected number 70, minimum number 35
Encourage students in medicine to draw up and present scientific papers at medical events, under the guidance of the research coordinator.

Methodology:

The increase in number of students involved in research will be done through a database with all the research projects that the students can involve themselves in.
The increase in theoretical and soft skills will be done through workshops.
The increase in practical skills will be done both through workshops and through the involving in the research projects.

1. Developing a local network through collaborations with mentors, organizations and institutions actively involved in research.
2. Developing future generations of researchers by educating, informing and motivating passionate students
• Organizing Conferences for Introduction to Research – “First Steps in Research”.
• Organizing Workshops / Presentations:
– Laboratory techniques
– Updates in research
– Writing and analyzing a scientific article
• Organizing training on presentation skills, public speaking
• How to draw up a research / grant project.
• Informing about funding opportunities.
• Participation in research projects.
• Writing scientific papers and publishing them.
3. Selection and introduction to students through internships and collaborations
• Organizing traineeships with our collaborators
• Encourage student initiatives to apply for funding
4. Stable and long-term partnerships with local partners

Plans for evaluation:

We are a bridge between the students who want to get involved in research, and the doctors that are looking for fresh spirits. We provide the theoretical knowledge, the soft skills, some of the practical skills, and an easy way for students to get in touch with research coordinators. We also try to include as many mentors involved in research as possible in our projects. In this regard, we want to collaborate with as many of the scientific projects as possible and not only. The experience of some specialists, both from the organizational point of view, but especially of the medical techniques performed, is an essential foundation for the development of the young students. Thus, sharing your knowledge is a vital and absolutely necessary way of learning for future doctors.