An Introduction
Medical Student Research Matters
Research opportunities for medical students are critical for fostering growth, enhancing retention, supporting career decisions, and creating societal impact.
At the Rural and Underserved Utah Training Experience & Regional Affairs Program (RUUTE), we recognize that all medical students who engage in research are better prepared for their future careers. Engaging in research is a high-impact practice that significantly contributes to student success. According to recent studies, students who participate in research with faculty mentors demonstrate higher retention and graduation rates. This holds true for many of our medical student researchers (Monarrez et al., 2020).
Research experiences are essential for retaining underrepresented students in the medical field and fostering a sense of belonging for those who may feel isolated in higher education (Fakorzi et al., 2023). “Belonging” is defined as feeling connected and identified with a campus community. In a vast environment with numerous students and faculty, finding a sense of community and connection is vital. Many of our students have found their place through participation in research, connecting with mentors and research teams (Gopalan, 2024).
Training students for the medical workforce is of utmost importance. Our students involved in research are preparing themselves for complex problem-solving, teamwork, and career readiness. Additionally, participation in research clarifies career interests and strengthens the pursuit of advanced degrees (NACE, 2024).
The societal impact of medical student research cannot be overstated. Each publication in this journal showcases dynamic research across various medical disciplines. By exploring the diverse research topics, methodologies, and questions addressed by our students, one can see the significant contributions being made. This issue highlights the work of students from our program, reflecting a wide range of research endeavors.
Special appreciation to the team members who made this publication possible: Rural and Underserved Utah Training Experience & Regional Affairs Faculty & Staff.
Authors will retain copyright over their written work, while allowing the journal to place this unpublished work under a Creative Commons Attribution License. These abstract will be available online and could be found by searching.
Dr. Sarah Franklin Ph.D
Faculty Director of RUUTE & Regional Affairs
Kacey Madsen M.Ed
Research, Outreach, & Extracurricular Program Manager
Rural and Underserved Utah Training Experience & Regional Affairs Program
