KNOWLEDGE, ATTITUDE AND BARRIERS TOWARDS BIOMEDICAL RESEARCH AMONG UNDERGRADUATE MEDICAL STUDENTS – A CROSS SECTIONAL STUDY IN A NEW MEDICAL COLLEGE, TAMIL NADU

Background: Biomedical research plays a pivotal role in enhancing the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of diseases, and it has a profound effect on the policies related to health care programs. Aims: The objectives of this study are to assess the current level of knowledge among medical students regarding biomedical research, to explore the attitudes of medical students toward participating in and contributing to biomedical research and to identify perceived barriers that may hinder medical students from actively engaging in biomedical research. Methods: This was a cross sectional study done in Government Medical College and Hospital Krishnagiri between February 2024 to August 2024. Around 327 undergraduate students were given a structured questionnaire (hard copy / google form) containing 21 questions [Questions 1 to 6 about ‘Knowledge’, Questions: 7 to 14 about ‘Attitude’, and Questions: 15 to 21 about ‘Barrier’] and their responses recorded. Results: Out of 327 study participants, 90% study participants had understood the purpose of doing the biomedical research. 27% study participants have mentioned that research feels stressful. 48% study participants agreed that research is indispensable in professional life. Around 62% study participants were not much aware of the content that introduction should contain. 67% of study participants felt difficult with getting started for research and 60% of study participants agree that there is lack of time which is the main hindering factor in doing the biomedical research. Conclusion: Biomedical research among health care professionals enhances their confidence in evidence-based decision-making, improving overall healthcare quality.