Journeying Through Research as a Medical Student

When you think of medical school, you probably picture countless hours of studying, clinical rotations, and practical patient care. But did you know that medical research also plays a huge role in shaping the healthcare ecosystem?

We caught up with Kavin Raj Purushottaman, Karim Ayman Ghazi Khaled, and Omar Mohamed Shahat Mohamed Eldeeb, three of our Year 5 Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) students who have ventured into the world of research alongside their studies. Here's a look at their journeys exploring research while studying to become doctors.

Curiosity Ignited

Kavin was first exposed to multiple aspects of clinical practice based on evidence-based medicine after gaining clinical experience during his third year. “This inspired me to look into continuously improving existing guidelines and even establish newer ones by the means of research,” he shared.

Karim credits his upbringing for inspiring his interest in research. “I was raised on values that always ennobled the scientist and their research, recognising research as the fertiliser from which society blossoms. Naturally, I found myself drawn to the way scientific discussions are written—I wanted to indulge in academia and leave my mark!” he declared.

Omar also aspires to leave a lasting impact and contribute to the ongoing development of the field. “As medical students, we primarily focus on acquiring existing knowledge. Research transforms this process into a full cycle, allowing us to contribute to the advancement of knowledge,” he said.

Balancing Game

The three of them agree that delving into research as a medical student is no easy feat. This is where good time management is essential.

“When a student picks up research, they are still balancing the same 24 hours that their peers are investing in their studies. The time that could have been spent studying is poured into reading literature and writing their paper. I find this just as fulfilling, if not more,” Karim explained.

Kavin expounds the virtues of having a timetable while Omar highlights the importance of being able to prioritise.

“I spend an hour each day going through literature and systematic reviews as well as conducting data analyses,” said Kavin.

“It is also important to know your limits and not take on too much, so you can manage both your studies and research without sacrificing quality,” added Omar.

Navigating Challenges

They all acknowledge that the invaluable support obtained from NUMed has enabled them to undertake research. Kavin went on to extend his appreciation for the guidance provided, especially from Associate Professor Dr Kye Mon Min and Dr Bhuwaneswaran Vijayan, who inspired him to improve his research skills.

“In addition to the guidance provided from various professors and mentors, the university also provides access to important facilities and opportunities to present our work,” continued Omar.

“In fact, the organisation of Johor Research Day 2024 at NUMed gave me one of my earliest opportunities, during which I won my first award!” chimed in Karim.

New Perspectives

When asked which achievements meant the most to them, Kavin cited a Neurological Research Project that he presented to the Neurological Association Malaysia (NAM) in Kuching. “It was my very first research project and I was the first medical student to present at the conference. Moreover, this project was accepted in Oxford for presentation,” he said.

According to Karim, co-organising and delivering NUMed Surgical Society’s inaugural research workshop was an unforgettable experience. “We were privileged to have 20 keen students tune in to our nine-hour workshop. It was so rewarding to hear how much our attendees have benefitted from it. We are currently working on more workshops for the next semester!”

For Omar, “One of the most memorable moments for me was presenting my first poster at Johor Research Day. It was a significant milestone in my research journey and opened my eyes to fascinating areas of science that I had not previously explored.”

What’s next in their research journey?

Kavin, who is a multiple Merit Award recipient, looks forward to undertaking projects in neurosurgery, palliative care, and medical examinations. “I have some research projects in mind, which I have discussed with the NUMed Medical Education Society and some clinical lecturers. During my Foundation training, I will participate in available projects and continue to be active in the Society of British Neurological Surgeons (SBNS),” he said.

Karim, on the other hand, plans to complete a set of online courses after his finals to strengthen his academic writing and data synthesis skills as well as pursuing a postgraduate certificate in research/academia with the hopes of attaining a PhD.

Meanwhile, according to Omar, “After completing my medical degree, I plan to improve my understanding of research methods and tools. This will help me explore my speciality in more detail and contribute to the scientific community with solid, well-supported research.”

As Kavin, Karim, and Omar continue their journey in medical education and research, we can’t wait to see how they will transform the future of healthcare and make an impact with their research. Best of luck to all of you!