Global Journal of Health Sciences and Research
Beyond the stethoscope: Why undergraduate research is no longer optional
By Mohan Alexander.
Abstract
The landscape of medical education is undergoing a profound transformation.A recent report (The Hindu, May 20, 2026) highlighted a new initiative by the National Medical Commission (NMC) and the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) to expand undergraduate exposure to clinical research, ethics, scientific writing, and research methodology.While this proposal is laudable, it has sparked debate among faculty and students, raising concerns about "curricular creep" and the challenges of integrating research into already dense medical training.Yet, the question is not whether undergraduate research should be included, but how it can be scaffolded meaningfully into the curriculum without overwhelming learners.
Keywords
- Health and Medical Research Impacts
- undergraduate research
- research training
- medical education
- student research participation
- Open access
Source
Published in Global Journal of Health Sciences and Research. The abstract is shown as published and remains the work of its authors; read the full article at the source.
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