ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: The pivotal role of research in medicine is undeniable, as it is vital for the progress of healthcare methods and patients' well-being. This notwithstanding, medical and dental students in Saudi Arabia face many barriers that prevent them from participating in research activities. This research aims to reveal the impediments that are particularly relevant, with select challenges and barriers being mentioned, such as time issues, the inadequate supply of resources, and insufficient training and guidance. MATERIALS AND METHODS: By using a cross-sectional study, the researchers have provided a questionnaire for medical students across multiple Saudi Arabian medical colleges via the online platform. The IBM SPSS Statistics for Windows, Version 23 (Released 2015; IBM Corp., Armonk, New York, United States) was used for data analysis, which leaned clearly on the descriptive statistical part, using a chi-square test to investigate the association between two categorical variables. RESULTS: There were 469 total participants, and data analysis clearly showed that lack of statistical skills (74.2%), time constraints (73.3%), and research topic selection (71.4%) were the most major obstacles to research participation. Even though the same barriers existed, a significant percentage of students (75.5%) definitely showed interest in the research, with 89.6% of the students recognizing the importance of research in the medical field. Furthermore, it should be highlighted that the female students showed a stronger positive attitude toward research than the male students (70% vs. 58.3%). CONCLUSION: The results highlight the necessity for the improvement of the medical education curriculum within Saudi Arabia, including the creation of a research participation system for the students. Through learning strategies emphasizing the importance of research, mentorship programs, and providing resources to the students, there will be an increase in their participation and success in the research. This will lead to an enriching medical research environment.
ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to evaluate public practice and the level of knowledge of common otorhinolaryngology-related issues among the population of the Northern Borders region of Saudi Arabia. METHODS: A descriptive cross-sectional questionnaire-based study was done in this research, employing data from 363 participants from the general population in the Northern Borders region of Saudi Arabia. The participants completed an online self-administered questionnaire and ensured anonymity. The questionnaire used in this study had been previously validated. RESULTS: Most of the respondents involved in this study were aged above 20 years (n = 326, 89.8%), and 248 had a medical background (68.3%). The study results show that 139 (38.2%) of the respondents had a good knowledge level, while 224 (61.8%) had poor knowledge about otorhinolaryngology-related issues. The results established a statistically significant association between the demographic information of age, gender, education level, and the level of knowledge about otorhinolaryngology-related issues with p-values < 0.05 (0.001, 0.003, and 0.002), respectively. There were no statistically significant association between marital status, place of residence, occupation, medical background, and the level of knowledge about otorhinolaryngology-related issues (with p > 0.05). Conclusion: The study found that less than half of the participants had good knowledge of otorhinolaryngology; elder and female participants showed better understanding. Sociodemographic factors, such as age, gender, and education, were statistically linked to knowledge levels. The findings highlight a need for increased public awareness efforts by the medical community regarding otorhinolaryngology issues in Saudi Arabia.
