Assessment of Undergraduate Research Experience in Term of Benefits, Barriers and Mentorship from Medical Student's Perspectives: A Mixed Quantitative-Qualitative Approach.

Objectives: This study aimed to assess the potential benefits, barriers and mentorship process of undergraduate research experience at the Faculty of Medicine, University of Khartoum. Methods: This study used a mixed quantitative-qualitative approach. The quantitative part was observational, descriptive cross-sectional study design with 900 participants from three classes. The qualitative part used focus group discussions with thematic analysis. Results: From 950 students total of the three classes, 900 filled the questionnaire with a 94.7% response rate. The mean age of the participants was 24.7, with 69% females. The most important benefits were understanding the research process in the medical field (mean = 3.42), learning to work independently (mean = 3.35), and ability to read and understand primary literature (mean = 3.31). Accomplishing these benefits is wedged with many challenges which include lack of research knowledge and skills (44%), then mentorship (24%), followed by time management obstacles (21%), and lastly unavailability of funds (5%). Most of our participant's mentors were college or university professors. When evaluated by students; 35% were rated as above average or outstanding, 28.9% were rated about average, and 25% below average or not good mentors. Conclusions: Undergraduate research experiences had many well-established benefits. However, many challenges were encountered by students when conducting medical research. These challenges need to be addressed properly in order to maximize the outcomes. Nevertheless, mentorship is a defining feature and can determine the outcome of the whole research experience among undergraduates, which necessitates paying further attention to this factor.