Assessment of Clinical Micro-research training program based on the Kirkpatrick model

Background Growing numbers of Chinese clinicians are difficult pursuing their interest in innovative research due to time limitations and inadequate research capabilities. So we proposed a concept 'Clinical Micro-research’ and developed training courses on the topic. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of the Clinical Micro-research training program on enhancing the clinical research capabilities of young physicians, using the Kirkpatrick evaluation model. Methods The training target was postgraduate medical students enrolled at Sun Yat-sen University in 2023 who voluntarily choose to participate in and completed the Clinical Micro-research Training Programme. The Kirkpatrick model was used, which measures the reaction, learning, behavioral and outcomes of the training. Participants were administered an online anonymous questionnaire before and after the training sessions and submitted a clinical micro-research protocol. Results 196 participants were enrolled, and all expressed high satisfaction with the training and provided positive feedback regarding the content and the instructors' professional competence at the reaction level. On the learning level, there was a significant increasing in participants' clinical scientific knowledge scores post-training (64.9 ± 12.3 vs. 57.8 ± 11.8, P < 0.001). 96.9% (n = 190) of the students reported a perceived improvement or significant improvement in their research capabilities following the training. This effect on the behavioral level was supported by assessments of the clinical micro-research protocols submitted where the majority was deemed feasible (n = 131, 66.84%), with 28 participants (14.3%) receiving an excellent rating. Conclusion Evaluated by the Kirkpatrick model, the Clinical Micro-research training program significantly enhanced the scientific research skills of medical graduate students, showing valuable potential for promoting research acumen among young medical professionals.