Undergraduate Research in Medical Education: Are we giving adequate importance?

The contemporary evidence-based practice of medicine is centered on new information gathered from scientifically and ethically valid research studies to ensure the provision of the best healthcare to society. The knowledge, skills, and experience gained by partaking in such research studies and publishing them would form a strong foundation that enables undergraduate medical students to conduct or be involved in research and/or understand new information on diseases/disorders during their medical practice in the future. In addition, contributing to publishing student-run journals through diverse roles as an author, reviewer, editor, and facilitator and being involved in organizing research conferences would train the students to address the scientific inquiry from multiple angles and aid in the development of their inherent leadership qualities, teamwork, time management, communication skills, and other skills deemed essential for undergraduate medical students for their role as medical practitioners in the future. This manuscript reviews the impact of undergraduate research in medical education, highlighting its benefits and limitations and the current state of its integration in medical curricula of universities in Sri Lanka. In addition, it suggests possible ways to overcome the barriers that prevent the successful integration and implementation of undergraduate research in medical education.