Positive Insights on Student Research Engagement in Academic Undergraduate General Practice: A Mixed Methods Study

BACKGROUND: Research engagement during medical school enhances students' critical thinking, research skills, and competitiveness for future careers. The University College Dublin (UCD) Student Summer Research Awards (SSRA) programme provides undergraduate medical students with an opportunity to undertake supervised research projects. This study aimed to evaluate the feasibility and acceptability of the SSRA General Practice programme among medical students engaged in primary care research. METHODS: A mixed-methods study was conducted, including a secondary analysis of programme participation data (2016-2024) and a self-administered survey distributed to former SSRA participants. Quantitative data were analysed using IBM SPSS Version 27, whereas qualitative responses were examined through thematic analysis. RESULTS: Of 82 applicants, 45 students (54.8%) were selected for the SSRA General Practice programme, with 44 (97.7%) successfully completing it. Research dissemination was high, with 40 (90.9%) participants presenting at SSRA Poster Night and having their abstracts published. Additionally, 16 (36.4%) published in scientific journals, and 29 (65.9%) presented at national and international conferences. Among 18 survey respondents, the majority reported increased research skills (77.8%), satisfaction with supervision (77.8%), enhanced motivation for research (50.0%) and general practice careers (55.6%). CONCLUSION: The GP SSRA programme has demonstrated positive outcomes by increasing student engagement in research and reported greater interest in primary care research and general practice. Future efforts should focus on increasing funding, supervisor involvement and integrating structured research training into the medical curriculum.