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Can Med Educ J
Can Med Educ J
CMEJ
Canadian Medical Education Journal
1923-1202
Canadian Medical Education Journal

CMEJ-15-115
10.36834/cmej.79364
Canadiana
Celebrating inquiry and scholarship: the inaugural Canadian Medical Student Research Competition
Célébrer la recherche et l'érudition : Le premier concours de recherche des étudiants en médecine du CanadaKirpalani Amrit 12
1 Department of Paediatrics, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Western University, Ontario, Canada;
2 Division of Nephrology, Children’s Hospital, London Health Sciences Centre, Ontario, Canada
Correspondence to: Dr. Amrit Kirpalani, MD, MEHP, FRCPC, Division of Paediatric Nephrology, Children’s Hospital, London Health Sciences Centre, 800 Commissioners Rd E, London, ON N6A 5W9; fax: 519.685.8049; phone: 519.685.8792; email: amrit.kirpalani@lhsc.on.ca
17 6 2024
30 8 2024
8 2024
15 4 115117
© 2024 Kirpalani; licensee Synergies Partners.
2024
https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/ This is an Open Journal Systems article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License. (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0) which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is cited.
Funding: No funding was received for this manuscript, nor for any aspect of the initiative described.
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pmcBackground

The CanMEDS framework, integral to the training of Canadian physicians, emphasizes the role of the physician as a scholar, mandating competency in research and evidence-based medicine.1 Despite the variability in structured research training across Canadian medical schools, the 2023 Graduation Questionnaire by the Association of Faculties of Medicine of Canada (AFMC) reported that 80.7% of medical students had engaged in a research project during their studies.2 This statistic underscores a rising trend in research participation and highlights the opportunity for formal celebration and recognition of student research efforts.

Development

The Canadian Medical Student Research Competition (CMSRC) was conceived to address this need, providing a national platform to showcase and celebrate the research achievements of medical students. As the Founding Chair, I engaged national UME decanal leaders with the proposal for a national symposium in which the most exceptional student research from participating institutions could be highlighted. Eleven out of seventeen Canadian medical schools participated, each selecting an MD and, optionally, an MD-combined student through an internal selection process based on provided scoring criteria.

The competition was divided into two streams: MD students and Combined-Degree students (e.g., MD-PhD, MD-Masters). This distinction acknowledges the higher expectations for research output and protected time afforded to students in combined programs. Each school’s internal selection ensured that the most outstanding research projects were represented, maintaining equitable representation across institutions. Research in all fields (e.g. clinical, basic science, education, humanities) were welcomed.

The judging process was specifically designed to focus on students' inquiry behaviors and presentation of their research (See Appendix A) rather than purely project outcomes. Judges, sourced from diverse institutions and research backgrounds (clinical, basic science, and educational research), evaluated presentations based on the clarity and relevance of the research question, study design justification, critical appraisal, and communication skills, aligning with Medical Council of Canada (MCC) objectives SC2.2 through SC2.5.3 The office of Human Research Ethics at Western University deemed that no REB oversight was needed for this initiative.

Event execution and outcomes

The inaugural CMSRC took place virtually in May 2024. The event opened with a keynote address from a medical school Dean on the significance of research and scholarship in medical training, followed by student presentations. Each student had seven minutes to present, followed by three minutes for questions from the judges. The morning session was dedicated to MD-Combined program participants, while the afternoon session featured MD program participants.

Feedback from participants highlighted the event's efficiency and the caliber and diversity of presentations. One participant remarked, 'It was run very efficiently, and the quality of presentations was very high,' while another appreciated the 'great representation from schools across Canada.' Judges echoed these sentiments, praising the clear judging criteria and the relevance of the research presented. However, both participants and judges suggested improvements, such as allotting more time for post-presentation questions, and an opportunity for students to receive feedback from judges after the event.

The competition culminated in the selection of winners and runners-up from each stream based on the highest overall scores. This structure not only recognized individual excellence but also fostered a sense of national recognition and competition among medical students.

Positioning within Canadian medical education

The CMSRC represents a significant addition to the landscape of Canadian medical education. It aligns with the growing emphasis on research as a core component of medical training, supporting the CanMEDS Scholar role and the increasing incorporation of research into undergraduate curricula. The event addresses gaps in formal recognition and structured opportunities for student researchers, particularly those not enrolled in combined programs.

Research involvement during medical school has been associated with broader academic skills and deeper learning experiences during training,4 and potentially enhanced career development opportunities.5 By providing a national platform for showcasing research, the CMSRC not only motivates students to engage in scholarly activities but also sets a standard for research excellence.

Moreover, the CMSRC is committed to equity by ensuring fair representation from each medical school across Canada. Each institution develops its own internal selection process, allowing them to choose participants who best represent their unique context and strengths. This approach ensures that both students with structured, protected research programs and those without are fairly represented in the competition. By providing an equitable platform for all schools, the CMSRC celebrates a diverse range of research topics and perspectives.

Conclusion

The inaugural CMSRC provided a platform to highlight the remarkable research efforts of Canadian medical students and setting a precedent for future competitions. By fostering a national culture of research excellence and providing equitable opportunities for recognition, the CMSRC contributes meaningfully to the evolving landscape of medical education in Canada. The feedback and outcomes from this first event will inform improvements, ensuring that the CMSRC continues to support and inspire the next generation of physician-scholars.

Conflicts of Interest

The author has no conflicts of interest to disclose

Edited by

Marcel D’Eon (editor-in-chief)

Appendix A. Judging process criteria
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1 Frank JR, Snell L, Sherbino J, Boucher A. CanMEDS 2015. Physician competency framework series I. 2015;
2 Association of Faculties of Medicine of Canada (AFMC). Graduation questionnaire 2023; 2023. Available from: https://www.afmc.ca/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/GQ_2023_National_Report_EN.pdf [Accessed May 16, 2024].
3 Medical Council of Canada. Objectives for the qualifying examination. 2020. Available from: https://mcc.ca/objectives/scholar/?_gl=1*1stxyq9*_up*MQ..*_ga*MTEwMjE3OTAzNy4xNzE1ODg4Nzc3*_ga_G3QGSSS43Q*MTcxNTg4ODc3Ni4xLjAuMTcxNTg4ODc3Ni4wLjAuMA. [Accessed May 16, 2024.
4 Verma S, Yacob M, Kirpalani A. Outcomes of open inquiry-based learning in health professions education. CMEJ. 2022 Sep;14 (2 ). 10.36834/cmej.75144
5 Green M, Jones P, Thomas JX. Selection criteria for residency: results of a national program directors survey. Acad Med. 2009 Mar;84 (3 ):362–7. 10.1097/ACM.0b013e3181970c6b 19240447
