Research Exchanges (SCORE)

Find out more:

The Manual on Research Exchange (MoRE) SCORE Regulations How to establish SCORE in your NMO Exchanges Profile Book Academic Quality Logbook

History of the
Committee

SCORE was founded in 1991 with the objective of giving students an opportunity of improving their skills in research in other learning settings. Presently, SCORE involves more than 65 active NMOs, offering over 3000 research projects to provide over 2400 medical students worldwide the opportunity to participate in IFMSA research exchange program

and learn the basic principles of medical research such as literature studies, collecting data, scientific writing, lab work, statistics and ethical aspects related to the medicine. It is important to mention that all exchanges are initiated and coordinated entirely by medical student volunteers.

Mission

Our mission is to offer future physicians an opportunity to experience research and diversity in countries all over the world. This is achieved by providing a network of locally and internationally active students that globally facilitate access to research exchange projects. Through our programming and opportunities, we aim to develop both culturally sensitive students and skilled researchers intent on shaping the world of science.

Objectives

Enable them to take responsibility for their own learning according to their personal interests.
Introduce them to the basic principles of medical research
Widen their horizons and provide the opportunity to experience different approaches to health care, ethical research standards, medical research, education, and treatment.
Enhance the academic quality of the medical student curricula and achieve educational benefits of practical and theoretical knowledge in the field of medical research.
Facilitate collaboration and partnership between medical universities, research institutions and allied medical students across the globe in order to share and spread new achievements in medical research.

Main Topics

How the SCORE Exchanges Work

How the SCORE Exchanges Work

The IFMSA Research Exchange is a research project that provides medical students with the opportunity to deepen their knowledge in the specific area of their research interest. This program is officially recognized and supported by the medical school/university and is guided by a mentor who introduces exchange students to the basic principles of research, including literature search, data collection, scientific writing, laboratory work, statistics, and ethics. Upon completion of the program, students may be required to prepare a written scientific report or an oral presentation.

Types of research projects:

Basic laboratory research project.
A clinical research project with lab work
A clinical research project without lab work
Global Action Project (GAP)

All exchanges are initiated and coordinated entirely by medical student volunteers. Every university is represented by a Local Officer on Research Exchange (LORE), who facilitates projects at the local level and arranges for the exchange students preparations such as housing and boarding. Every exchange student is assigned a local contact person who serves as a guide, resource, and social liaison, the thing that strengthens the intercultural communication, understanding, and unity among medical students worldwide.

For more information about IFMSA Exchanges, visit Exchange the World Section.

Examples of recent achievements

Exchanges Profile Book

SCOPE and SCORE international teams created the Exchanges Profile Book, which will shortly be available in four languages, in addition to its original English version. The Profile Book provides readers with a comprehensive overview of the exchanges system within the IFMSA and gives statistics on the programs.

Endorsement of exchanges

The World Federation of Medical Education, the World Organization of Family Doctors (WONCA), and the Federation of European Neuroscience Societies (FENS) – among others – recognizing the academic quality and the professional organization of our program.

Global Action Project (GAP)

GAP aims to fill that void in knowledge and awareness. It encourages future health professionals to learn the necessary skills for the prevention, detection, and treatment of endemic diseases worldwide. Through a four-week intervention program, students reinforce basic research abilities in special circumstances and experience the way these endemic diseases are handled in their native environment. Students are also involved in the development of health promotion programs.

Creation of an International PRET Manual

A manual was created to support national member organizations to host international professional and research exchanges training, with the objective of increasing the quality and quantity of such capacity building events.