Individual and Institutional Factors Preventing Completion of Research by Medical Graduate Students at Cairo University: Questionnaire Study

Abstract

Background Medical research plays a significant role in advancing the level of health care worldwide. This research is a crucial part of the development of any educational system. In developing countries, the publication rate related to the medical sciences is lower than that in developed countries. Objective The aim of this study was to explore the causes of delay in publishing research and the factors that hinder the completion of master’s degree projects in a group of medical graduate students at Cairo University Faculty of Medicine. Methods A web-based questionnaire was introduced to approximately 150 medical graduates in different specialties through social media. The questionnaire aimed to investigate the reasons for delays in publishing master’s degree manuscripts after graduation among a group of medical graduates. Results Of the graduates contacted, 130 responded to the web-based survey. The ages of the participants ranged from 23-38 years (SD 3.88); 72 of them were male, and 58 were female. Causes of noncompletion of manuscripts were analyzed; lack of proper research training and the absence of supportive mentorship were top reasons. We found a significant relationship between being married and failing to complete the assigned project from its start up to publication. Moreover, we found that the frequency of nonfulfillment increased among those who experienced poor mentorship. Conclusions Several factors are contributing to the delay in publication of medical manuscripts related to research projects by medical graduates of the Cairo University Faculty of Medicine. Pensive supervision must be implemented to decipher the persistent institutional problems that obstruct research progress.