1Professor, Department of Pharmacology, PSG Institute of Medical Sciences & Research, The Tamilnadu Dr. MGR Medical University, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, India
2Professor, Department of Biochemistry, PSG Institute of Medical Sciences & Research, The Tamilnadu Dr. MGR Medical University, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, India
3Resident, Department of Pharmacology, PSG Institute of Medical Sciences & Research, The Tamilnadu Dr. MGR Medical University, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, India
Research activity is important for paramedical postgraduates as it promises better reasoning, learning, clinical care and knowledge. It also gives an exposure for future research related professions. Research involves different steps, where the researchers may face various challenges. We have planned this study to know a paramedical postgraduate's view on challenges faced in conducting a research and to identify areas of training to overcome these problems.
To find out various challenges faced by a paramedical postgraduates during their research work and to identify the area which require training before starting research.
A cross-sectional study was planned among postgraduates involved in research at colleges of Paramedical sciences. Following approval of the study from Institutional Human Ethics Committee, a validated self-administered questionnaire was provided to these participants after getting informed consent. Each questionnaire had a cover sheet explaining the purpose of the study, assurance of confidentiality and voluntary nature of participation. The data on filled up questionnaire data were statistically analysed.
A total of 38 paramedical postgraduates were included for the study. About 47.36% of them faced difficulty in deciding the research topic, whereas 39.5% had difficulty in framing research question and 55.26% in planning the study design implying that greater percentage had difficulty in charting their study design. About 36.84% had difficulty in doing review of literature due to limited access to data sources. Also some had difficulties in planning methodology, sample size calculation and the budget. Some participants faced difficulty in obtaining ethical approval for their studies. 34.21% got approval on first submission and an equal numbers required minor modification of the protocol. 89.48% had problems while conducting research: in participant recruitment, acquisition of kits and chemicals, funds, equipments. During research, minor proportion had difficulties in communicating with the participants getting consent, data analysis and final reporting whereas a considerable number had difficulty in follow-up of patients.
The study has brought out the fact that investigators face challenges in different stages of their research and the most difficult areas identified are in planning the research topic, identifying the appropriate design and follow-up of patients. The problems identified can be overcome by improving course curriculum, conducting periodical seminars or workshops on research methodology for paramedical postgraduates.
Research, Challenges, Training area, Stages of research, Questionnaire, Paramedical, Postgraduates
