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. 2023 Dec 15;23:964. doi: 10.1186/s12909-023-04881-2

Table 3.

Factors influencing students’ perceptions of research and their likelihood of pursuing an academic career

Univariate ordinal logistic regressiona Multivariable ordinal logistic regression
OR (95% CI) P-value Bonferroni P-value OR (95% CI) P-value Bonferroni P-value
Medical School has well educated the individual about research
 Completed an academic degree Yes 1.274 [1.068 – 1.520] 0.007 0.06 1.040 [0.850 – 1.273] 0.7 5.60
No Reference - - - - -
 Ethnicity Other ethnic group 0.683 [0.469 – 0.996] 0.048 0.38 0.825 [0.536 – 1.270] 0.382 3.06
White Reference - - - - -
 Per first degree relative who has been a healthcare professional 1.088 [1.012 – 1.169] 0.022 0.18 1.100 [1.014 – 1.193] 0.021 0.17
 Area where they undertook most of their pre-university education Outside the EU 0.588 [0.463 – 0.748]  < 0.001  < 0.01 0.566 [0.423 – 0.757]  < 0.001  < 0.01
UK Reference - - - - -
 Research compulsory part of a degree Yes 2.092 [1.649 – 2.654]  < 0.001  < 0.01 2.014 [1.572 -2.581]  < 0.001  < 0.01
No Reference - - - - -
Has undertaken research to date
 Year of medical school 3 2.001 (1.493 – 2.681)  < 0.001  < 0.01 2.001 [1.476 – 2.713]  < 0.001  < 0.01
4 2.421 (1.794 – 3.269)  < 0.001  < 0.01 1.887 [1.377 – 2.585]  < 0.001  < 0.01
5 3.153 (2.288 – 4.343)  < 0.001  < 0.01 2.284 [1.609 – 3.242]  < 0.001  < 0.01
1 Reference - - - - -
 Type of degree Post-graduate 1.689 [1.289 – 2.213]  < 0.001  < 0.01 1.060 [0.769 – 1.462] 0.721 5.77
Undergraduate Reference - - - - -
 Completed an academic degree Yes 2.948 [2.447 – 3.551]  < 0.001  < 0.01 3.161 [2.500 – 3.997]  < 0.001  < 0.01
No Reference - - - - -
 Ethnicity Other ethnic group 1.648 [1.114 – 2.437] 0.012 0.10 1.822 [1.190 – 2.790] 0.006 0.05
White Reference - - - - -
 Per first degree relative who has been a healthcare professional 1.088 [1.011 – 1.172] 0.025 0.20 1.044 [0.963 – 1.131] 0.296 2.37
 Area where they undertook most of their pre-university education EU 1.695 [1.128 – 2.549] 0.011 0.09 2.334 [1.484 – 3.669]  < 0.001  < 0.01
Outside the EU 1.512 [1.182 – 1.934] 0.001 0.01 1.813 [1.354 – 2.428]  < 0.001  < 0.01
UK Reference - - - - -
 Adequacy of medical school’s contribution to participants' knowledge of research Neither adequate nor inadequate 1.676 [1.124 – 2.500] 0.011 0.09 1.940 [1.258 – 2.993] 0.003 0.02
Somewhat adequate 2.449 [1.678 – 3.574]  < 0.001  < 0.01 2.787 [1.853 – 4.191]  < 0.001  < 0.01
Extremely adequate 5.059 [3.234 – 7.914]  < 0.001  < 0.01 5.822 [3.576 – 9.479]  < 0.001  < 0.01
Extremely inadequate Reference - - - - -
Finds research useful in combination with medical studies
 Year of medical school 2 0.682 [0.517 – 0.899] 0.007 0.06 0.708 [0.535 – 0.936] 0.015 0.12
3 0.545 [0.414 – 0.718]  < 0.001  < 0.01 0.530 [0.399 – 0.702]  < 0.001  < 0.01
4 0.563 [0.426 – 0.744]  < 0.001  < 0.01 0.529 [0.397 – 0.703]  < 0.001  < 0.01
5 0.610 [0.451 – 0.825] 0.001 0.01 0.561 [0.410 – 0.768]  < 0.001  < 0.01
1 Reference - - - - -
 Area where they undertook most of their pre-university education EU 1.978 [1.326 – 2.951] 0.001 0.01 1.760 [1.143 – 2.710] 0.01 0.08
Outside the EU 1.320 [1.034 – 1.684] 0.026 0.21 1.268 [0.981 – 1.637] 0.069 0.55
UK Reference - - - - -
 Adequacy of medical school’s contribution to participants' knowledge of research Extremely adequate 1.718 [1.106 – 2.670] 0.016 0.13 1.659 [1.032 – 2.667] 0.037 0.30
Extremely inadequate Reference - - - - -
 Research undertaken to date A moderate amount 1.593 [1.235 – 2.053]  < 0.001  < 0.01 1.564 [1.180 – 2.073] 0.002 0.02
A lot 2.356 [1.570 – 3.537]  < 0.001  < 0.01 1.911 [1.229 – 2.973] 0.004 0.03
A great deal 5.116 [2.708 – 9.664]  < 0.001  < 0.01 3.768 [1.837 – 7.730]  < 0.001  < 0.01
None at all Reference - - - - -
Finds combining research with medical studies difficult
 Year of medical school 2 0.754 [0.564 – 1.007] 0.056 0.45 0.836 [0.620 – 1.127] 0.239 1.91
3 0.675 [0.505 – 0.903] 0.008 0.06 0.797 [0.589 – 1.079] 0.142 1.14
4 0.674 [0.502 – 0.906] 0.009 0.07 0.759 [0.554 – 1.040] 0.087 0.70
5 0.730 [0.529 – 1.006] 0.054 0.43 0.878 [0.621 – 1.242] 0.462 3.70
1 Reference - - - - -
 Type of degree Post-graduate 0.654 [0.495 – 0.862] 0.003 0.02 0.713 [0.517 – 0.984] 0.04 0.32
Undergraduate Reference - - - - -
 Completed an academic degree Yes 0.808 [0.671 – 0.973] 0.024 0.19 0.767 [0.607 – 0.969] 0.026 0.21
No Reference - - - - -
 Gender Female 0.718 [0.592 – 0.870] 0.001 0.01 0.700 [0.570 – 0.859] 0.001 0.01
Non-binary/ third gender 0.278 [0.115 – 0.675] 0.005 0.04 0.250 [0.096 – 0.651] 0.005 0.04
Male Reference - - - - -
 Adequacy of medical school’s contribution to participants' knowledge of research Neither adequate nor inadequate 2.159 [1.420 – 3.284]  < 0.001  < 0.01 1.937 [1.235 – 3.036] 0.004 0.03
Somewhat adequate 2.388 [1.606 – 3.550]  < 0.001  < 0.01 2.082 [1.362 – 3.184] 0.001 0.01
Extremely adequate 6.050 [3.797 – 9.639]  < 0.001  < 0.01 4.767 [2.885 – 7.878]  < 0.001  < 0.01
Extremely inadequate Reference - - - - -
 Research undertaken to date A moderate amount 1.695 [1.289 – 2.230]  < 0.001  < 0.01 1.442 [1.053 – 1.974] 0.022 0.18
A lot 2.185 [1.410 – 3.385]  < 0.001  < 0.01 1.607 [0.987 – 2.615] 0.056 0.45
None at all Reference - - - - -
 Usefulness of research with medical studies Moderately useful 2.476 [1.497 – 4.094]  < 0.001  < 0.01 2.308 [1.302 – 4.090] 0.004 0.03
Very useful 2.696 [1.622 – 4.480]  < 0.001  < 0.01 2.552 [1.433 – 4.543] 0.001 0.01
Extremely useful 3.435 [1.983 – 5.952]  < 0.001  < 0.01 2.873 [1.544 – 5.346] 0.001 0.01
Not at all useful Reference - - - - -
Wants to pursue an academic career
 Year of medical school 2 0.811 [0.620 – 1.062] 0.128 1.02 1.096 [0.772 – 1.556] 0.609 4.87
3 0.629 [0.481 – 0.822] 0.001 0.01 0.854 [0.612 – 1.193] 0.355 2.84
4 0.770 [0.586 – 1.012] 0.061 0.49 1.045 [0.745 – 1.465] 0.8 6.40
5 0.599 [0.444 – 0.808] 0.001 0.01 0.727 [0.508 – 1.041] 0.082 0.66
1 Reference - - - - -
 Ethnicity Asian/Asian British 1.349 [1.121 – 1.624] 0.002 0.02 1.308 [1.022 – 1.675] 0.033 0.26
White Reference - - - - -
 Eligible for free meals at school Yes 1.306 [1.011 – 1.688] 0.041 0.33 1.353 [0.982 – 1.864] 0.065 0.52
No Reference - - - - -
 Area where they undertook most of their pre-university education EU 1.860 [1.244 – 2.782] 0.003 0.02 1.609 [0.976 – 2.653] 0.062 0.50
Outside the EU 1.335 [1.054 – 1.692] 0.017 0.14 1.097 [0.807 – 1.491] 0.554 4.43
UK Reference - - - - -
 Research compulsory part of a degree Yes 0.758 [0.600 – 0.959] 0.021 0.17 0.744 [0.574 – 0.964] 0.025 0.20
No Reference - - - - -
 Research undertaken to date A moderate amount 1.436 [1.119 – 1.844] 0.004 0.03 1.246 [0.988 – 1.570] 0.063 0.50
A lot 2.722 [1.801 – 4.114]  < 0.001  < 0.01 2.091 [1.368 – 3.196] 0.001 0.01
A great deal 5.287 [2.827 – 9.887]  < 0.001  < 0.01 2.596 [1.280 – 5.267] 0.008 0.06
None at all Reference - - - - -
 Usefulness of research with medical studies Slightly useful 2.367 [1.438 – 3.896] 0.001  < 0.01 2.121 [1.142 – 3.940] 0.017 0.14
Moderately useful 9.927 [6.021 – 16.368]  < 0.001  < 0.01 3.934 [2.136 – 7.244]  < 0.001  < 0.01
Very useful 9.927 [6.021 – 16.368]  < 0.001  < 0.01 9.266 [4.979 -17.244]  < 0.001  < 0.01
Extremely useful 37.736 [21.853 – 65.164]  < 0.001  < 0.01 30.202 [15.3–5 – 59.600]  < 0.001  < 0.01
Not at all useful Reference - - - - -
 Difficulty of combining research with medical studies Somewhat difficult 1.274 [1.005 – 1.615] 0.046 0.37 1.303 [0.961 – 1.766] 0.089 0.71
Extremely easy 3.539 [1.485 – 8.435] 0.004 0.03 1.464 [0.558 – 3.840] 0.438 3.50
Extremely difficult Reference - - - - -
Wants to pursue an academic training pathway
 Year of medical school 2 0.764 [0.585 – 0.998] 0.048 0.38 0.907 [0.688 – 1.198] 0.492 3.94
3 0.573 [0.438 – 0.749]  < 0.001  < 0.01 0.687 [0.518 – 0.911] 0.009 0.07
4 0.689 [0.523 – 0.907] 0.008  < 0.01 0.848 [0.635 – 1.134] 0.267 2.14
5 0.393 [0.289 – 0.533]  < 0.001  < 0.01 0.454 [0.329 – 0.627]  < 0.001  < 0.01
1 Reference - - - - -
 Type of degree Post-graduate 1.370 [1.056 – 1.778] 0.018 0.14 1.384 [1.045 – 1.833] 0.023 0.18
Undergraduate Reference - - - - -
 Ethnicity Asian/Asian British 1.312 [1.091 – 1.578] 0.004 0.03 1.296 [1.046 – 1.604] 0.018 0.14
White Reference - - - - -
 Area where they undertook most of their pre-university education EU 2.167 [1.457 – 3.221]  < 0.001  < 0.01 1.608 [1.031 – 2.508] 0.036 0.29
Outside the EU 1.289 [1.015 – 1.635] 0.037 0.30 1.114 [0.848 – 1.464] 0.437 3.50
UK Reference - - - - -
 Research undertaken to date A moderate amount 1.378 [1.075 – 1.767] 0.012 0.10 1.339 [1.008 – 1.778] 0.044 0.35
A lot 2.636 [1.732 – 4.012]  < 0.001  < 0.01 2.365 [1.485 – 3.766]  < 0.001  < 0.01
A great deal 5.648 [2.925 -10.903]  < 0.001  < 0.01 4.185 [1.899 – 9.223]  < 0.001  < 0.01
None at all Reference - - - - -
 Usefulness of research with medical studies Slightly useful 2.012 [1.239 – 3.269] 0.005 0.04 1.957 [1.145 – 3.347] 0.014 0.11
Moderately useful 3.408 [2.113 – 5.498]  < 0.001  < 0.01 2.984 [1.755 – 5.074]  < 0.001  < 0.01
Very useful 6.493 [3.996 – 10.550]  < 0.001  < 0.01 5.463 [3.186 – 9.367]  < 0.001  < 0.01
Extremely useful 20.916 [12.328 – 35.486]  < 0.001  < 0.01 14.624 [8.158 – 26.214]  < 0.001  < 0.01
Not at all useful Reference - - - - -
 Difficulty of combining research with medical studies Somewhat difficult 1.464 [1.153 – 1.860] 0.002 0.02 1.372 [1.058 – 1.779] 0.017 0.14
Neither easy nor difficult 1.470 [1.113 – 1.941] 0.007 0.06 1.287 [0.950 – 1.744] 0.103 0.82
Somewhat easy 1.941 [1.339 – 2.813]  < 0.001  < 0.01 1.099 [0.734 – 1.646] 0.646 5.17
Extremely easy 4.121 [1.678 – 10.119] 0.002 0.02 2.290 [0.886 – 5.918] 0.087 0.70
Extremely difficult Reference - - - - -
Interested in undertaking more research in the future
 Year of medical school 2 0.851 [0.645 – 1.123] 0.255 2.04 1.188 [0.821 – 1.720] 0.361 2.89
3 0.703 [0.534 – 0.927] 0.012 0.10 0.998 [0.699 – 1.426] 0.993 7.94
4 1.084 [0.821 – 1.433] 0.569 4.55 1.776 [1.229 – 2.566] 0.002 0.02
5 0.948 [0.699 – 1.284] 0.728 5.82 1.236 [0.835 – 1.828] 0.29 2.32
1 Reference - - - - -
 Completed an academic degree Yes 1.317 [1.105 – 1.570] 0.002 0.02 1.194 [0.945 – 1.508] 0.138 1.10
No Reference - - - - -
 Gender Female 1.215 [1.014 – 1.457] 0.035 0.28 1.345 [1.068 – 1.694] 0.012 0.10
No Reference - - - - -
Per first degree relative who has been in academia 0.939 [0.889 – 0.992] 0.025 0.20 0.912 [0.850 – 0.979] 0.011 0.09
 Area where they undertook most of their pre-university education EU 2.562 [1.687 – 3.892]  < 0.001  < 0.01 2.132 [1.258 – 3.614] 0.005 0.04
Outside the EU 1.499 [1.174 – 1.913] 0.001 0.01 1.276 [0.943 – 1.727] 0.114 0.91
UK Reference - - - - -
 Research compulsory part of a degree Yes 0.687 [0.538 – 0.876] 0.002 0.02 0.638 [0.480 – 0.848] 0.002 0.02
No Reference - - - - -
 Adequacy of medical school’s contribution to participants' knowledge of research Somewhat inadequate 0.672 [0.455 – 0.992] 0.046 0.37 0.780 [0.462 – 1.315] 0.35 2.80
Neither adequate nor inadequate 0.516 [0.346 – 0.771] 0.001 0.01 0.660 [0.386 – 1.128] 0.129 1.03
Somewhat adequate 0.645 [0.441 – 0.943] 0.024 0.19 0.677 [0.409 -1.120] 0.129 1.03
Extremely inadequate Reference - - - - -
 Research undertaken to date A moderate amount 1.337 [1.037 – 1.723] 0.025 0.20 1.168 [0.912 – 1.497] 0.219 1.75
A lot 1.521 [1.002 – 2.309] 0.049 0.39 0.994 [0.636 – 1.555] 0.98 7.84
A great deal 2.904 [1.511 – 5.583] 0.001 0.01 1.292 [0.580 – 2.877] 0.531 4.25
None at all Reference - - - - -
 Usefulness of research with medical studies Slightly useful 4.408 [2.644 – 7.349]  < 0.001  < 0.01 3.805 [1.995 – 7.258]  < 0.001  < 0.01
Moderately useful 10.817 [6.497 – 18.011]  < 0.001  < 0.01 8.600 [4.532 – 16.318]  < 0.001  < 0.01
Very useful 30.852 [18.266 – 52.108]  < 0.001  < 0.01 23.871 [12.377 – 46.039]  < 0.001  < 0.01
Extremely useful

127.233

[70.382 – 230.005]

  < 0.001  < 0.01 88.214 [41.962 – 185.448]  < 0.001  < 0.01
Not at all useful Reference - - - - -
Feels there are barriers preventing them from getting involved in research
 Year of medical school 2 1.292 [0.946 – 1.764] 0.107 0.86 1.697 [1.093 – 2.636] 0.018 0.14
3 1.600 [1.176 – 2.177] 0.003 0.02 1.984 [1.299 – 3.028] 0.002 0.02
4 1.795 [1.308 – 2.463]  < 0.001  < 0.01 2.432 [1.580 – 3.743]  < 0.001  < 0.01
5 1.978 [1.406 – 2.781]  < 0.001  < 0.01 2.776 [1.764 – 4.369]  < 0.001  < 0.01
1 Reference - - - - -
 Gender Female 1.926 [1.567 – 2.366]  < 0.001  < 0.01 1.968 [1.496 – 2.590]  < 0.001  < 0.01
Male Reference - - - - -
 Per first degree relative who has been a healthcare professional 0.845 [0.773 – 0.923]  < 0.001  < 0.001 0.902 [0.788 – 1.031] 0.13 1.04
 Per first degree relative who has been in academia 0.890 [0.832 – 0.951] 0.001 0.01 0.928 [0.839 – 1.026] 0.145 1.16
 Per first degree relative who has held an academic position in the healthcare environment 0.851 [0.768 – 0.944] 0.002 0.02 0.896 [0.767 – 1.048] 0.17 1.36
 Research compulsory part of a degree Yes 0.716 [0.550 – 0.931] 0.013 0.10 0.723 [0.526 – 0.993] 0.045 0.36
No Reference - - - - -
 Adequacy of medical school’s contribution to participants' knowledge of research Neither adequate nor inadequate 0.344 [0.219 – 0.539]  < 0.001  < 0.01 0.567 [0.301 – 1.068] 0.079 0.63
Somewhat adequate 0.304 [0.198 – 0.465]  < 0.001  < 0.01 0.394 [0.217 – 0.718] 0.002 0.02
Extremely adequate 0.164 [0.098 – 0.274]  < 0.001  < 0.01 0.314 [0.156 – 0.630] 0.001 0.01
 Extremely inadequate Reference - - - - -
 Research undertaken to date A moderate amount 0.427  < 0.001  < 0.01 0.674 [0.507 – 0.898] 0.007 0.06
A lot 0.436  < 0.001  < 0.01 0.904 [0.545 – 1.499] 0.695 5.56
None at all Reference - - - - -
Difficulty of combining research with medical studies Somewhat difficult 0.356 [0.266 – 0.476]  < 0.001  < 0.01 0.389 [0.268 – 0.565]  < 0.001  < 0.01
Neither easy nor difficult 0.190 [0.135 – 0.268]  < 0.001  < 0.01 0.239 [0.151 – 0.377]  < 0.001  < 0.01
Somewhat easy 0.093 [0.057 – 0.153]  < 0.001  < 0.01 0.134 [0.072 – 0.248]  < 0.001  < 0.01
Extremely easy 0.118 [0.042 – 0.332]  < 0.001  < 0.01 0.118 [0.031 – 0.450] 0.002 0.02
Extremely difficult Reference - - - - -

aOnly variables that were significant on univariate regression are presented