Positive insights on student research engagement in Academic Undergraduate General Practice: A Mixed Methods Study

Background Research engagement during medical school enhances students’ critical thinking, research skills, and competitiveness for future careers. The UCD Student Summer Research Awards (SSRA) program provides undergraduate students with an opportunity to undertake supervised research projects. This study aims to evaluate the feasibility and acceptability of the SSRA General Practice program among medical students engaged in primary care research. Methods A mixed-methods study was conducted, including a secondary analysis of program participation data (2016–2024) and a self-administered survey distributed to former SSRA participants. Quantitative data were analyzed using IBM SPSS Version 27, while qualitative responses were examined through thematic analysis. Results Of 82 applicants, 45 students (54.8%) were selected for the SSRA General Practice program, with 44 (97.7%) successfully completing it. Research dissemination was high, with 40 (90.9%) participants presenting at SSRA Poster Night and having their abstracts published. Additionally, 16 (36.4%) published in scientific journals, and 29 (65.9%) presented at national and international conferences. Among 18 survey respondents, the majority reported increased research skills (77.8%), satisfaction with supervision (77.8%), and enhanced motivation for research (50.0%) and General Practice careers (55.6%). Participants preferred a hybrid model incorporating in-person and online sessions. Conclusion The GP SSRA program has demonstrated positive outcomes by increasing student engagement in research and fostering a greater interest in primary care research and General Practice. Future efforts should focus on increasing funding, supervisor involvement, and integrating structured research training into the medical curriculum.