Developing research skills in medical students: AMEE Guide No. 69

This Guide has been written to provide guidance for individuals involved in curriculum design, and specifically relates to the development of research skills within medical undergraduates. Hopefully it will also be of interest to specialist within this area and it aims to provoke debate.
Initially it describes why research skills and related attributes may be important to those pursuing a medical career and therefore exposes why we should be encouraging the understanding of research methods in these individuals. It also defines what these skills and attributes should be for medical students. It also lays out the case for providing the opportunity to develop expertise in research in these people.
The Guide also draws together potential ways that research related attributes could be instilled and research skills taught and assessed within the medical undergraduate training arena. How is it possible to fit yet another set of outcomes into an already crowded curriculum?
This publication also discusses the potential and real barriers to the provision of training in research skills to undergraduate students. Suggestions are made on how to circumvent these barriers but we also aim to create debate around this area and stimulate further research into how to try to instil a research ethos into the doctors of the future.
Case studies will be used to highlight some of the main suggestions within the guide giving practical help to those currently developing this area within their curriculum but it is hoped that the guide will appeal to those of all levels of expertise.