Re-Orientation of Medical Education in Imparting Knowledge Pertaining to Research among Undergraduate Medical Students

Research is an important aspect of medical teaching and training including undergraduate training. The practice of Re-Orientation of Medical Education (ROME) is instrumental to impact the knowledge regarding research.

This study was done to assess the improvement in knowledge of students regarding research and to understand their perception regarding ROME posting and its usefulness.

A survey among 96 undergraduate medical students was done during the year 2014. Using a predesigned questionnaire, a before and after posting assessment of knowledge was done for all the participating students. Frequency and percentages were calculated. Mc Nemar's test was used to compare the change in knowledge and a p value <0.05 was taken as significant.

Majority (68.7%) of study participants were male students. There was a significant improvement in the knowledge gained by the students at the end of the ROME programme. Knowledge regarding data entry, data analysis and report writing had improved significantly (p<0.05). Majority (52%) of students felt that ROME posting gave them the opportunity to improve communication skills and approximately one-third (36.5%) students got motivated to work in rural areas. There was an overwhelming response from the study participants at the end of the ROME posting.

ROME posting was useful in cultivating interest in the undergraduate medical students in relation to research and should be encouraged in all medical colleges of India.