Challenges facing scientific research at medical faculty at University of Benghazi , Libya

Abstract

Background: Scientific research is crucial for health-care delivery. However, medical students may not participate in research during their training, which might negatively affect their understanding of the importance of research and their future ability to conduct research projects.

Aims of study: to assess the perception, attitudes and   practices of the medical students toward research and the challenges which may be a barrier in conducting research.

Subjects & Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted using a self-administered, pre-coded and pre-tested questionnaire. The study was conducted at faculty of Medicine (FM) & Benghazi Medical Center (BMC). The medical students, interns, postgraduate, graduated doctors, specialist, and teaching staff at faculty (in both basic and clinical fields) in 2020 were included. population.

Results: The total sample was 227 respondents, the mean age was 29 ±6.3 Year, and 63.4 were females and 36.6% were males. The current study reported that 203(89.4%) of the respondents agree and strongly agree that doing scientific research is important, 85.6% agreed and strongly that research in undergraduate is necessary. The scientific research barriers at Benghazi university were more than  half of respondents agree and strongly agree there was no adequate training for research methodology, 47.4% agreed that Lack of professional supervision, and 50.4% agreed that poor accessibility to data.

Conclusion: although all respondents agreed that research is important but still there are  barriers  in the study of research at undergraduate level and there are many obstacles facing g research at medical faculty Benghazi university. The investigators suggested that the faculty of medicine should have more training programs for teaching under and postgraduate doctors about research methods, providing supervisors and financial support for faculty members.