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Sideris M, Hanrahan J, Staikoglou N, Pantelidis P, Pidgeon C, Psychalakis N, Andersen N, Pittaras T, Athanasiou T, Tsoulfas G, Papalois A. Optimizing engagement of undergraduate students in medical education research: The eMERG training network. Ann Med Surg (Lond) 2018; 31:6-10. [PMID: 29922460 PMCID: PMC6004769 DOI: 10.1016/j.amsu.2018.05.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2018] [Revised: 05/16/2018] [Accepted: 05/23/2018] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Background The practice of evidence-based medicine and critical appraisal are essential for the modern doctor. Early engagement of medical students in research methodology is considered as a rising need for most medical school curricula; however, few peer-reviewed initiatives have been reported so far. We developed a Medical Education Research Group (eMERG) as part of a novel undergraduate surgical masterclass, which aimed to train undergraduate students on basic research methodology, as well as to motivate them to pursue a clinical and academic career in surgical specialties. Methods: eMERG consists of an international structured network of senior academics, consultant-level clinicians, senior and junior trainees who support undergraduate trainees. Students are selected from a competitive pool of applicants. Several small prospective studies in skills-based education, as well as systematic reviews on similar topics, have run under the umbrella of this framework, in the form of scholarship awards. Structured feedback questionnaires were distributed to evaluate the experience of the first three years. Results 12 students have participated in this pilot initiative. 11 manuscripts have been submitted for publication and 8 were accepted following peer-review in MEDLINE-indexed journals. Delegates perceived this experience as an excellent training opportunity which improved their research productivity. Delegates also stated engagement in research developed interest in the relevant surgical speciality, impacting their career aspirations. Conclusions eMERG is one of the first reported European educational research networks for undergraduates. Research outcomes and students' perceptions conclude that eMERG enhances engagement with research methodology and motivation towards a career in surgery. eMERG is a pilot international research training network where medical students receive support to conduct research in Medical Education. eMERG structure can serve as a novel model to convey research experience from one generation to another, and in the same time, motivate and aspire students to develop leadership skills. eMERG was developed in a financial crisis environment with promising research outputs and positive students' feedback.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michail Sideris
- esmsc Medical Education Research Group (eMERG Collaboration), Experimental Research Center ELPEN, Greece.,Queen Mary University of London, Yvonne Carter Building, London E1 2AB, United Kingdom
| | - John Hanrahan
- esmsc Medical Education Research Group (eMERG Collaboration), Experimental Research Center ELPEN, Greece.,King's College London, Faculty of Life Sciences and Medicine, Strand, London WC2R 2LS, United Kingdom
| | - Nikolaos Staikoglou
- esmsc Medical Education Research Group (eMERG Collaboration), Experimental Research Center ELPEN, Greece.,Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki 541 24, Greece
| | - Panteleimon Pantelidis
- esmsc Medical Education Research Group (eMERG Collaboration), Experimental Research Center ELPEN, Greece.,Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki 541 24, Greece
| | - Connie Pidgeon
- esmsc Medical Education Research Group (eMERG Collaboration), Experimental Research Center ELPEN, Greece.,Royal London Hospital, Bartshealth NHS Trust, United Kingdom
| | - Nikolaos Psychalakis
- esmsc Medical Education Research Group (eMERG Collaboration), Experimental Research Center ELPEN, Greece.,Experimental Research Centre ELPEN, Athens, Greece
| | - Nikolai Andersen
- esmsc Medical Education Research Group (eMERG Collaboration), Experimental Research Center ELPEN, Greece.,PPA-International Medical, Denmark
| | - Theodore Pittaras
- esmsc Medical Education Research Group (eMERG Collaboration), Experimental Research Center ELPEN, Greece.,National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, 115 27, Greece
| | - Thanos Athanasiou
- esmsc Medical Education Research Group (eMERG Collaboration), Experimental Research Center ELPEN, Greece.,Imperial College London, London SW7 2AZ, United Kingdom
| | - Georgios Tsoulfas
- esmsc Medical Education Research Group (eMERG Collaboration), Experimental Research Center ELPEN, Greece.,Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki 541 24, Greece
| | - Apostolos Papalois
- esmsc Medical Education Research Group (eMERG Collaboration), Experimental Research Center ELPEN, Greece.,Experimental Research Centre ELPEN, Athens, Greece
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Sun X, Wu Y, Ni B. Interdisciplinary strategy to train graduate students in English communication for international academic conferences. MEDICAL TEACHER 2014; 36:180-181. [PMID: 24044482 DOI: 10.3109/0142159x.2013.836271] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoyun Sun
- Department of Immunology, Third Military Medical University , 30 Gaotanyan St., Dist., Shapingba, Chongqing 400038 , China
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