Medical Student Research: A Literature Review on Impact and Perceptions

Background: The 2022 transition from numerical to pass/fail scoring for USMLE Step 1 and COMLEX Level 1 has changed the way medical students perceive their competitiveness. In a 2020 report, it was found that Osteopathic students were more likely to see the transition as negatively impacting their residency match and specialty choice. With the belief that residencies will now place greater focus on extracurricular achievements, attention to medical student research has increased since the transition. Understanding the outcomes and perceptions of research programs is necessary to identify these barriers and devise ways of integrating research more effectively into medical training. Hypothesis: Research involvement, particularly via structured programs, enhances engagement, builds critical skills and improves preparedness for residency, making it an important aspect of clinical education. Methods: Literature Review: PubMed, JAMA, Google Scholar Inclusion Criteria: United States, Medical Schools and Residencies, Any type of Research Program Outcomes: Student perceptions, program benefits, impact on residency Results: Longitudinal research projects enhanced student engagement, leadership, problem-solving, and transferable skills. Up to 40% of residency interviewers discussed research, scholarly projects. Students typically positively perceive research experiences and benefit from participation. Conclusions: Structured research programs improve residency preparedness and competitiveness. Larger-scale research is needed to draw more definitive conclusions and assess long-term outcomes