Evaluating the outcomes of medical student research at Monash University

Introduction/Background
Medical student research programs are thought to assist in facilitating the development of clinician-scientists.  However, there is limited evidence about the long-term outcomes of medical school research experiences.
Aim/Objectives
This study aimed to understand and evaluate the long-term (3-5 year) outcomes of the intercalated BMedSc(Hons) degree at Monash University, specifically; publications, research participation, research skills, and the impact of BMedSc(Hons) on graduates’ career pathway.
Discussion
Of those who graduated with BMedSc(Hons), 90% (from 2017), 68% (from 2018), and 73% (from 2019), had published at least one peer-reviewed journal article (total 658 publications; range 0 – 25 per person) within 3-5 years of graduation. Approximately 90% of the publications authored by BMedSc(Hons) graduates were in Q1 or Q2 ranked journals. It was clear that a large number of BMedSc(Hons) graduates continue to contribute to research studies after they graduate from medicine. A survey of graduates is ongoing. The survey is comparing research skills, publication rates and career trajectory in graduates who did and did not complete BMedSc(Hons).
Issues/Questions for exploration OR Ideas for further discussion
The initial release of the survey was complicated by a large influx of “robot” responses (>500), likely due to the presence of a financial incentive. As a result, we had to exclude a large number of responses, some of which were likely responses from genuine Monash Medical Graduates. Nevertheless, the pilot survey data suggests that medical graduates who completed BMedSc(Hons) have more highly developed research skills, and may obtain specialty training positions more rapidly than those who did not complete BMedSc(Hons).